Fans blast Village People as ‘tribute act’ for reunion with one original member
The Village People on This Morning. (ITV)
TV viewers have blasted the Village People as a “tribute act,” after the group appeared on This Morning with only one original member.
The American disco group, founded in 1977, re-united for an episode of the ITV morning chat show on Tuesday (March 19).
The band, known for hits like “Y.M.C.A.” and “In the Navy,” featured on the programme to celebrate 40 years in show business.
However, fans were left disappointed as lead singer Victor Willis was the only founding member of the band to be present for their TV appearance with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield.
Victor Willis was the only founding member of the Village People to be present at the band’s This Morning appearance. (ITV)
Social media users were quick to vent their outrage over the incident.
Some claimed that many of the men in the band looked too young, while others compared the group to a tribute act.
“What a mess! They look like they’ve only been together as a group since this morning! #ThisMorning,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Viewers blast This Morning over Village People appearance
Another said: “It’s ok Phil & Holly, the original member of the Village People probably doesn’t know who the other guys are either #ThisMorning.”
A third person wrote: “Oh, so it’s Village person and some mates then. #thismorning”
“”#ThisMorning they ain’t the village people they’re a tribute act.”
— A disgruntled Twitter user
And a fourth Twitter user said: “”#ThisMorning they ain’t the village people they’re a tribute act.”
The Village People’s name is a reference to New York City’s Greenwich Village, which was known for its thriving gay scene in the 1970s.
The group have released nine studio albums.
In August 2017, Willis was criticised by other members in the band for returning to the group with a new line-up.
Felipe Rose, who played the Native American in the original lineup of the band, said at the time: “This is corporate hijacking at the highest level.
“He’s taking on 40 years of a well-oiled brand and 40 years of a fan base. The outrage is, is he is replacing all of us.”
Watch the Village People on This Morning below:
