Original Village People Member Sues The Group

SAN DIEGO — The Village People's first cop wants a revamped version of the group to stop using his likeness and voice.

The lawsuit filed last week in San Diego by Victor Willis claims companies continue to use his voice and picture to promote the new Village People. He is seeking at least $1 million and a judge's order that they can no longer use his image or voice.

Willis was the original police officer in the group and helped pen the Village People's greatest hits, including "Y.M.C.A" and "Macho Man."

He is suing Sixuvus Ltd., a New York company that promotes the new Village People. He's also suing the William Morris Agency as well as Can't Stop Productions _ which owns the trademark to the band's name _ and several venues where the new group has performed.

Phone messages and e-mail sent seeking comment from the companies were not immediately returned Monday.

Comments

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

He was the token 'straight' in the group. He was the only one with real singing experience.

[SmootyBooty]

i knew him
in the navy...

[Chalkeater]

At least he was smart enough to get out before "Can't Stop the Music".

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

Now now, that was perhaps the greatest movie ever made. Key word in that sentence was "perhaps".

[hip dibler]

better give the original macho man his money.

[ElBruce]

Use the new guy's face and voice if you've got a new guy. It's a fair lawsuit - they're basically doing a bait & switch, since the original cop pretty much carried the whole band.

[spiderbucket]

They have an interesting model for a 'band.' Each member has an understudy and gets vacation, etc. I can see that model working with KISS when the originals retire. I guess it could work for certain other acts who were costumes. Maybe the understudy took over full time ?

[american-dolt]

They are lucky the made 50¢ on that gay parade

[AmbivalentGuy]

Oh, come on at least they were "several hit" wonders,
as opposed to, say, Billy Ray Cyrus.

They certainly weren't musically important, but they were fun.

Oh, wait a minute - this is a slur, not musical criticism, isn't it.
My mistake.

Or, is it the "parade". No, you'd have to hate Sly and the Family
Stone, P-Funk, George Clinton, James Brown ....

No couldn't be, theatrics are always part of live mucsical performance.

All, this typing and it's just gay bashing.

Oh, well....

[kps888]

Don't be surprised if someone who goes by american-dolt makes doltish comments. What a dolt.

[american-dolt]

Ya kps888 is easier to hide behind

[hypnotoad72]

Not all bi- and homo-sexual people act like the stereotypes the media loves to make of them. And some in the media are just as bi- or homo- when presenting those stereotypes too. But it makes them money and any visibility is better than none, or so I keep getting told.

[american-dolt]

Yes and some, like them remind of Gay Pride Parades so I'll stick by my statement. PC's make me sick.

[SaucyB]

so if it's a revamped version isn't there a revamped cop? why would they still use his voice & picture?

[AmbivalentGuy]

Not sure.
But it seems clear that he's suing
not because of the "professional image",
but because they are actually using his name and voice. WTF?

BUT, I hate it when these suits include people like the
club owners who booked the band for their venues.
That's like Ralph Lauren suing me because I unknowingly
bought a knockoff.

[AmbivalentGuy]

Image - not name - sorry.

[johnnygoodwud]

officer, spank and arrest those people

[westreal]

He was the sexiest of the bunch. Hope he gets his money.

[rektruax]

He's holding up pretty good. Gotta be closing in on 60. I wish him luck.