The Village People from New York City, USA, were a concept before they were a group. The brainchild of record producer Jacques Morali, the troupe was assembled in 1977. His intention was to create a camp rock 'n' roll / dance act that would flaunt homosexual stereotypes yet appeal to gays. Before even constructing his dream group, Morali secured a recording deal with Casablanca Records, then riding high with a string of smash disco hits by Donna Summer. Morali's first recruit was Felipe Rose, a go-go dancer who was dressed in an American Indian costume when spotted by the entrepreneur. 

Morali then hired songwriters Phil Hurtt and Peter Whitehead to compose songs hinting at gay themes before filling out the group with Alexander Briley, Randy Jones, David Hodo, Glenn Hughes and Victor Willis (later replaced by Ray Simpson).

Each member of the group was outfitted to cash in on the homosexual 'macho' stereotyping;

The group first charted in the UK with the Top 50 single, 'San Francisco (You Got Me)' in 1977, but the group's first major US hit was the Top 30 'Macho Man' in 1978, followed by two international hits, 'Y.M.C.A.' (UK number 1/US number 2) and 'In The Navy' (UK number 3/US number 2). 

Although gays did embrace the group at first, they tired of it as the mainstream audience picked up on the Village People. I

n the UK their success continued with the Top 20 singles, 'Go West' (1979) and 'Can't Stop The Music' (1980) from the movie of the same name, which flopped everywhere except here in Australia!

The Village People are still hugely popular and regularly the world.

- from various online resources