Original Village People policeman in hospital

Victor Willis, who co-wrote ‘Y-M-C-A,’ ‘Macho Man,’ has vocal cord surgery

AP file

Victor Willis of the pop group, The Village People, pictured in 1979, is resting in a San Diego hospital after surgery Monday to remove nodules from his vocal cords.

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updated 11:33 a.m. ET July 8, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Former Village People lead singer Victor Willis is recovering from vocal cord surgery and has postponed his tour.

Willis, the band’s original policeman, is resting in a San Diego hospital after surgery Monday to remove nodules from his vocal cords, spokeswoman Linda Smith said.

Willis sang lead and co-wrote lyrics to such Village People hits as “Y-M-C-A” and “Macho Man.” He developed hoarseness after several 2007 performances, forcing him to cancel European and Canadian concert dates this year.

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He’s expected to recover and reschedule the tour dates.

Willis left the group in 1980. In 2006, San Francisco police found cocaine in his car; he pleaded no contest to drug possession and served three years’ probation.