Old Village Person Sues New Village People

Victor Willis—former "police officer" in The Village People, recovering coke addict, and ex-husband of Phylicia Rashad—has filed a lawsuit against the new Village People, seeking at least $1 million and a court order preventing them from using his image or voice. Willis wrote the lyrics for many of the original Village People hits (such as Y.M.C.A.) but left the group for good in the early '80s. The manufactured "band" continues to this day with a mostly different lineup, and Willis contends that Sixuvus Ltd., a New York company that promotes them, is illegally replicating his likeness and voice. According to the AP, he's also suing the William Morris Agency and Can't Stop Productions, which owns the trademark to the band's name. Oh, and several venues where the new group has performed are also being sued by Willis, as well as, presumably, everyone who's ever raised their arms to make a "Y."