By Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
They burst onto the music scene when disco was hot, and never stopped singing and dancing.
Four decades after those six iconic performers – the Biker, the GI, the Native American, the Cop, the Construction Worker and the Cowboy – started movin’ and grooving to their own beat, The Village People are still getting people up on their feet to sing and dance along with them at concert halls and arenas around the world.
This fall, Western Massachusetts will have their own opportunity to “Go West” and be a “Macho Man” when the Village People bring their high-energy choreography and music to the Court of Honor Stage at the Big E at 8 p.m. on Sept. 17.
Founding group members Felipe Rose – the Native American – Alex Briley – the GI – and longtime member Ray Simpson – he replaced Victor Willis, the original Cop, in 1980 – will be joined onstage by relative newcomers Bill Whitefield as the Construction Worker and Jim Newman as the Cowboy during the Big E stop. Together they plan to show fair attendees the high-energy singing and dancing that’s sold 100 million copies of their songs worldwide, won them an American Music Award (Favorite Music Group), Germany’s Gold Lion Award (for Music Excellence), Brazil’s Award for Best Act, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and many more accolades.
Whether you know The Village People from their early songs like “Y.M.C.A.,” remember them from their 1980s semi-autobiographical feature film “Can’t Stop the Music” or just discovered them in cameos from recent LetGo, American Express, Wonderful Pistachios or Miracle Whip ads, their Big E performance will be a show to remember.
Prime was fortunate to get the chance to ask Felipe and Alex some questions about their long tenure with the band, and Bill and Jim about joining the famous group. We had to correspond by email while the guys were on the road– when you’re part of The Village People – aka the “Kings of Disco” – there’s no stop to the music, it seems!
Q. With the exception of a two year-break in the late 1980s, The Village People have been performing as a disco group since 1977. What’s it like to be icons of a music era?
Felipe: “It’s not all it’s cracked up to be; nice to be recognized and remembered for your contributions to an act/industry. I don’t take myself too seriously.”
Alex: “It’s exciting because people call us icons, we are appreciative of their time; thankful to have brought some fun and joy into their lives for 40 years.”
Q. In 2008, The Village People were immortalized in Hollywood history with a Star on the Walk of Fame. How do you feel about your icon status garnering this recognition?
Felipe: “It was an honor to receive the Star as a reward for dedicating my life to the group.”
Alex: “We certainly appreciate it and are thankful to those who thought we should have the star.”
Q. Because you are The Village People, I’m sure audiences expect certain songs when they attend your concerts. How do you keep performing fresh for yourselves?
Felipe: “No two audiences are alike; each audience brings a different element of energy & fun and we respond to that. It never gets old.”
Alex: “Whenever we see another new face in the audience that is the inspiration; each audience is different and that keeps us fresh.”
Q. When you’re out there playing those crowd-pleasers, do you ever itch to break into some new tunes?
Felipe: “We don’t always do the same songs for every show. We change up the show from time to time.”
Alex: “We do different songs; not every show is the same.”
Q. Speaking of a Village People show, what should audiences expect to see at your Sept. 17 appearance at the Big E?
Felipe: “ALL audiences can expect to have a good time. We put on a great show!”
Alex: “We expect them to have fun and we always have a few surprises.”
Q. This question is for Felipe, Alex and Ray – you three have been creating your Village People characters for decades. Have you found the need to tweak your personas or performances as society has evolved from the 1970s to today?
Felipe: “I have not ‘created’ any character. Being a Native American this is part of my heritage.”
Alex: “No, basically it’s all about changing costumes; representing four branches of armed forces; the show remains consistent.”
Q. This question is for group “newcomers” Jim (Cowboy) and Bill (Construction Worker) – what made you want to join The Village People? What do you feel you bring to the group?
Bill: “I was always a huge fan of disco; it got me into the entertainment business; when opportunity came to join the group – I ran to take the position (and there was lots of competition!). Luckily, I have ‘the look’ and the talent. I think I bring fresh energy; enthusiasm and excitement for being in the group.”
Jim: “Hey, who wouldn’t want to join Village People? We all bring our special talents to the group.”
Q. This is for Felipe and/or Alex: I believe 2017 marks 40 years for The Village People, but this group was not something that formed organically like Queen, instead it was the brainchild of French producers Henri Bololo and Jacques Morali. What’s it like to be part of the longest surviving “created” performing group in the business?
Felipe: “As the inspiration for group, and having been the first to be ‘discovered’ dancing in my Native American regalia, I have been there since the beginning.”
Alex: “It is an privilege.”
Q. The groups’ name, the characters, the suggestive lyrics – The Village People were “out” even if much of the 1970s public didn’t realize it at the time.
Today, we teach “YMCA” to our kids as a fun song to move to. What does this say about society, gay culture and how ahead of its time this group might actually have been?
Felipe: “We were a group that performed to ALL audiences. The world and its attitudes towards many things have evolved since the 1970s.”
Alex: “We are entertainers. The world has changed since the 70s and if we played a role in it for the better, then I am pleased.”
Q. One final question– what message do you think The Village People represents today?
Felipe: “We represent an act that has survived and still invite people to ‘come to the party’.”
Alex: ‘We represent fun and a chance [for everyone] to party a bit.”
This year’s Big E takes place on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Massachusetts, Sept. 15 to Oct. 1. Hours: Gates open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; buildings and exhibits open at 10 a.m., most close at 9 p.m. Midway is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, to 11 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Admission: Adults, $15; Children ages 6 to 12, $10; Children five and under free. Midway Magic Passes $30, valid any one day Mon. to Fri. Special Discounts: Six-After-Five – Admission only $6 after 5 p.m. Mon. to Thurs. Senior Days – Age 60 and over $12 Mon. to Thurs.
