BIOGRAPHY
VILLAGE PEOPLE
STILL THE KINGS OF DISCO
VILLAGE PEOPLE is a one of-a-kind act synonymous with dance music. These six men provide high-energy choreography with fun and lots of singing and dancing, providing great entertainment for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
VILLAGE PEOPLE have performed at fairs, festivals, universities, casinos, public and private functions around the globe. They have sold more than 100 million recordings and are known for such hits as “Macho Man”, “Can’t Stop the Music”, “Go West”, and of course “YMCA”.
In 2013 VILLAGE PEOPLE recorded “Let’s Go Back to the Dance Floor” which was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey of KC and the Sunshine Band. The single has been added to their live performances and the sound is classic VILLAGE PEOPLE.
Recently VILLAGE PEOPLE have been seen in commercials for American Express (with Beyonce and Ellen Degeneres), Wonderful Pistachios and Miracle Whip (with Susan Boyle, Lance Bass and Wynona Judd). Their recent television appearances include The Arsenio Hall Show, Fox’s Wendy Williams Show, NBC’s Singing Bee (with Joey Fatone) and Oprah Winfrey’s Where Are They Now? Past television performances include The Bob Hope Special, Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Rosie O’Donnell Show, Oprah, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rocking Eve, Love Boat and Married with Children.
VILLAGE PEOPLE starred in a semi-autographical major feature film Can’t Stop the Music which co-starred Steve Guttenberg, Valerie Perrine, and Bruce Jenner.
On September 12, 2008 VILLAGE PEOPLE received a “Star” on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The group has won many awards including an American Music Award – Favorite Music Group, AGVA’s Georgie Award, West Germany’s Gold Lion Award for Music Excellence and Brazil’s Award for Best Act, to name just a few.
Their music can be heard in dozens of major motion pictures including Down Periscope, Wayne’s World II, Addams Family Values and In and Out. Their film Can’t Stop the Music continues to be celebrated as a world-wide cult classic. VILLAGE PEOPLE were also featured in the advertisements for “Trivial Pursuit’s 20th Anniversary Edition” and were also featured as one of the question in the game.
They performed half-time entertainment for Australia’s Rugby Grand Finals which is seen by more people than the Super Bowl in the USA. Their music is played during the seventh inning stretch at major league baseball stadiums and often they entertain sports with live performances following basketball, soccer and hockey games. At the final All-Star Game in the “old” Yankee Stadium, they performed “YMCA” with the groundskeepers.
VILLAGE PEOPLE are Raymond Simpson (Cop and lead singer), Felipe Rose (Native American), Alexander Briley (GI/Military), Eric Anzalone (Biker), Bill Whitefield (Construction Worker) and Jim Newman (Cowboy).
To listen to “Let’s Go Back to the Dance Floor”, see photos and read individual biographies visit our website at www.officialvillagepeople.com.