Village People on gay icon status: It’s a good thing!

MANILA, Philippines - Members of American disco group Village People must have found the growing confidence of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community as reason to feel comfortable about the fact they’re behind one of the biggest gay anthems ever.

That was palpable when they said something about it while facing the Filipino press last Monday afternoon at Solaire Resort & Casino in Parañaque City.

Felipe Rose, the group’s founding member famously dressed as native American, calmly replied when told of their thought on being gay icons. “Yipee! It’s a good thing. It’s wonderful to be loved and adored by so many fans. During shows we see the general smile that comes together as one.”

Village People, the artist behind the widely accepted gay anthem Y.M.C.A, is in the country for their three-night concert leg beginning tonight at 8 at Solaire’s Grand Ballroom.

The group, formed in 1977 and easily recognizable for their on-stage costumes representing American culture stereotypes, is described as the world’s top disco superstar with over 100 million albums sold, highlighted by 17 chart-hitting singles. Their other familiar hits are Macho Man, In The Navy and Go West.

When asked of their key to longevity, Ray “The Cop” Simpson, reasoned, “We enjoy doing what we do and we just try to be ourselves all the time. It’s extra fun with us wearing costumes; like we’re going to a Halloween party everyday.”

Presented by Redstone Media Productions, Inc., the six-man Village People goes to Cebu City tomorrow, May 29 for a show at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino. Then on May 30, they will be at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

Eric Anzalone (The Biker/Leatherman), whose outfit has become most associated to gay fashion, said of the group he became a part of in 1995: “We travel together and live as a family.”

Other members of Village People are Bill Whitefield (The Construction Worker), and latest acquisitions Jim Newman (The Cowboy) and Alex Briley (The Soldier). The latter two joined the group just last year, the same period when they released a new song called Let’s Go Back to the Dance Floor.

Talking about the disco genre, Village People pointed out, “Dance music has not changed that much. They just call it electronic dance music nowadays.”

They also think that wearing costumes is an advantage of sort. Rose related, “We record our music not wearing this and we can become invisible off stage because nobody recognizes you when you’re not dressed up like this.”