After recording an initial four tracks, San Francisco (You’ve Got Me), In Hollywood (Everyone’s a Star), Fire Island, and Village People their debut album was released. It quickly climbed to the top of the dance charts and became an international hit, along with the band. Demand for the “Village People” to appear in concert and on television shows like American Bandstand and Merv Griffin was great.
Casablanca Records and Filmworks, the group’s label, got behind their second album Macho Man with full promotion and marketing. Village People became an international phenomenon and quickly followed with their third album, the double-platinum Cruisin (which featured the blockbuster Y.M.C.A.).
They embarked on a worldwide tour in 1979 to coincide with the release of their fourth album, Go West. The group has received many honors and awards, including the American Music Award for Favorite Musical Group, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was featured on the cover of Rolling Stone.
With hits like San Francisco/In Hollywood, Macho Man, Y.M.C.A., In the Navy and Go West, the group has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and continues to break records. In 2004 BMI recognized Y.M.C.A. as exceeding one million airplays. In 2017, Y.M.C.A. made UK's Official Millionaires Chart - songs that have reached 1 million in combined sales/streams.
