Producer/Composer Jacques Morali found Felipe dancing in his Indian costume in a crowd in NY’s Greenwich Village. Felipe’s special visual attraction brought the idea to mind to put together a group of Village icons from a variety of American social groups.

Soon after, Morali saw Victor Willis in Broadway’s The Wiz and Victor brought along Alex Briley to play a G.I. With partner Henri Belolo, Morali held auditions for 3 more performers and Village People was formed.

In addition to Alexander Briley, David Hodo, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Olson, Felipe Rose and Ray Simpson, from 1977 through 1985, short term Village People included Miles Jaye, Randy Jones, Mark Lee, Ray Stephens and Victor Willis.

Madonna and Joan Rivers are among the artists who have appeared as opening acts for Village People in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden, Japan’s Budokan, Sydney’s Horden Pavillion and Hollywood’s Greek Theatre. VP’s co-star with Michael Jackson in LA’s Pavilion.