Village People

Members of Village People Felipe Rose, Native American (original) Alex Briley, Soldier (original) David Hodo, Construction Worker (original) Ray Simpson, Cop (1979) Jeff Olson, Cowboy (1980) Eric Anzalone, Biker (1995)
First Decade: 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 various 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.Selling more than 65 million recordings (1987 Dance Music Report), Village People are an instant phenomenom with hits San Francisco/In Hollywood,Macho Man, YMCA, In the Navy, Go West and more. The Disco Era is in fullbloom.Madonna and Joan Rivers are among artists who have appeared as opening acts for Village People in Las Vegas, Madison Square Garden, Japan's Budokan, Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, and Hollywood's Greek Theatre. Even Michael Jackson co-stars with Village People in LA's Palladium.The group wins many worldwide awards including the American Music Award-Favorite Musical Group 1979, AGVA's Georgie Award, West Germany's Gold Lion Award for music excellence, Brazil's 1981 Award for Best Act, etc.Village People star in their own 1980 major feature movie Can't Stop the Music co-starring Steve Guttenberg, Bruce Jenner, Valerie Perrine, Paul Sand, June Havoc, Tammy Grimes and directed by Nancy Walker. It remains a popular cult film around the world.Village People are on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine and are featured in Guiness Book of Hits, Time, Playboy, Playgirl, GQ, US, People, Paris Match, World Book Encyclopedia, Dick Clark's 25 Years of Rock 'n Roll & hundreds more. Television appearances include The Love Boat, Bob Hope Show, 20/20 (twice), American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Soul Train, Midnight Special and dozens more in more than 20 countries.The group takes a short break from the rigors of touring in 1986, during which time some of the members explored individual careers.The Second Decade: Village People regroup under the banner of Sixuvus ("six of us") Ltd. Finally, their own bosses and with the help of a new management team, Village People has built an amazing success story of live performances worldwide, new young audiences, television and video appearances, and industry respect.Of the originating and long-term members, Ray, David, Felipe, Jeff and Alex continued on. In 1995 Eric Anzalone replaced original member Glenn Hughes as the Biker/Leatherman. And for the record- NO, The Greaseman was never a member! End of discussion.In 1990 on CBS Records(Australia) they recorded the top-ten hit Living in the Wildlife and in 1995 sang with the German Soccer Team on the BMG Records (Germany) number one hit Far Away in America. Village People wrote and now perform in their show a new classic entitled Trash Disco, a tribute to the many artists and dance hits which are now a memorable part of the disco era. Besides Trash Disco their live show also features new material like Take My Breath Away by David Hodo.Their hits have been heard on dozens of recent major motion pictures including Down Periscope (the guys actually perform with the cast of Down Periscope as the credits roll during the film), Waynes World II, Adams Family Values and In and Out. They have performed many times on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno, as well as the Rosie O'Donnell Show, Oprah, Married with Children, Good Morning America, the Caroline Rhea Show, Dick Clark's 50th Anniversary of American Bandstand, ABC's Disco Ball - 30th Anniversary of Disco, and numerous appearances on VH-1 & MTV. Besides dueling it out with The Disco Divas (Thelma Houston, Martha Wash, Freda Payne, Janice Marie, Evelyn "Champagne" King) on the gameshow Family Feud, one of their wildest experiences was filming a unique documentary sharing music and culture with Australia's aborigines entitled Village People Go North Down Under.They were the half-time entertainment for Australia's Rugby Grand Finals seen by more people than the Superbowl. Their music is played during the seven inning stretch at dozens of baseball games and they often entertain sports fans with live performances following soccer and hockey games as well. In 1996 they were honored to be a part of the world champion Yankees ticker-tape parade in New York City.They brought in 2003 as the special guests of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne. Village People performed for the Osbournes and their guests on New Years' Eve following a ceremony where Ozzy and Sharon renewed their wedding vows. Village People have ventured into "reality TV" as cameras captured all of the happenings for MTV's The Osbournes.In March of 2001, original member Glenn Hughes succumbed to lung cancer after a long fight. It was a devastating loss for the group as they lost a good friend and brother. Glenn was buried in his leathers as he had requested. It's hard to imagine Glenn at rest...I'm sure he's at a party somewhere. Heck, he's even dressed for it! God bless, Glenn, wherever you are...you are missed.
Alexander Briley is the original G.I./Military Man of Village People. Alexander Briley was raised in Harlem and then Mount Vernon, New York. Son of a minister, he has been singing in church all his life. He studied voice at the University of Hartford and is able to perform a wonderful diversity of styles. Alex has sung with jazz flautist Bobby Humphrey and was featured in the Off-Broadway shows Music Magic and Althol Fugard's drama A Lesson From Aloes.Mr. Briley was brought to Jacques Morali by Victor Willis because they had done a show together. Alex had a call back for another show and had to decide which to go to. Luckily he chose Village People.Alex has arranged most of the vocal arrangements and harmonies that the group uses. He originally performed in just jeans and a t-shirt. As the group developed, it became obvious that he needed a character, so when the group recorded In The Navy, Alex became a sailor for that number and a soldier the rest of the time.Alex loves shopping and enjoys most kinds of music. He likes reading and is a concerned observer of life with an incredible memory.Currently he resides in Westchester, New York and is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).
Eric has been a member of Village People since 1995. He was born in Dayton, Ohio but grew up in Santa Barbara, California. As a graduate of San Marcos High School, he joins a special list of alumni including ER's Anthony Edwards, actor Eric Stoltz, Tony winner (The Producers) Cady Huffman (his high school girlfriend!), and Dean Dinning, bass player from Toad the Wet Sprocket. He studied theatre with a music minor at the University of Miami, Florida.Eric has performed in various stage productions around the world. A few tid bits include killing many brain cells in the role of Berger in the European tour of HAIR, as a soloist performing Broadway standards with the Bratislavian Orchestra, and singing on the high seas for Princess Cruises. He starred as the purple-masked Donatello in the world tour of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles following the Turtles' album release Coming Out Of Their Shells. He again donned the "extremely comfortable" green suit and this time lent his voice as well, but as Raphael in the films A Turtles' Christmas and Turtle Tunes.In the 1980's, Eric was the frontman for the Los Angeles based heavy-metal band PARADIGM. He has written and performed with other punk/metal bands over the years. Most recently as the guitarist in the NYC power-punk quartet SiR (singles from Sir's CD Rock On Love Agnes are available for preview and download at itunes.com).Eric took over the role of the Biker/Leatherman in November 1995. He continues to act and do voice overs and he has written two full length feature screenplays and a couple of treatments for episodic TV. VH1/MTV networks developed one of his shows, and he recently appeared in a couple of episodes of VH1's The Love Lounge. His first novel, HUMANITIES, will hit the shelves of your local bookmonger in the summer of 2007.Eric's hobbies include diving, cooking, reading, golf and writing music. His favorite thing to do on the road is going out to a good dinner while enjoying a great book (a pasttime he learned from David Hodo who usually supplies the books).Having escaped from Los Angeles in 1992, Eric now calls New Jersey home. He has a eight year old daughter, Samantha.
David Hodo, the original Construction Worker, was born and raised in San Andreas, California (yes, on top of the fault line); many of his relatives were actual California settlers. "I'll always be a California boy, but I'm also a New Yorker at heart having now lived half of my life here."He graduated from Sacramento State College with a B.A. in Speech. He then moved to New York City and got his Actors' Equity card on his second day in the city (unheard of!) and made his living singing and dancing on Broadway and in too many summer stock tours to mention. He was featured on Broadway and Off-Broadway in Pal Joey, Doctor Jazz, the rock musical Salvation and Sal Mineo's drama Fortune And Mens' Eyes.The oddest job he had (other than Village People) was that of a roller skating fire eater...until he nearly burned his face off! This is how he got his nickname: Scar.The year that he joined Village People was also the year that his birthday fell on 7-7-77, which he knew from the time he was a child was going to be a special year. With Village People he covered the globe several times over, meeting wonderful people and having some great times.Some of the more memorable moments were winning an American Music Award, being kissed by Ella Fitzgerald, shaking hands with LadyBird Johnson ("She's an incredibly powerful presence."), meeting many childhood idols - Dick Clark, The Righteous Brothers, Leslie Gore, Lou Cristie, Little Anthony and the Imperials, and especially Ike and Tina Turner whom he saw in concert over thirty years ago in the Ike and Tina Turner Review. "I was totally blown away by her and so when I was able to work and tour with her in Germany several years ago, it was all I could do to refrain from falling at her feet and vowing complete and total servitude. "She is the Godess of goddesses and the indisputable Queen of Rock 'n Roll!" Another awesome experience was at Mala Mala, a game preserve in Africa."Hanging out with the guys is a great pleasure. I always enjoy their company. We have been through hell and high water together, and we can still make the best out of the worst situations."He is a talented composer, having written original material for Village People which has been performed in their live show. Music is David's soul food. He is also a voracious reader. One of his greatest fears is to be stuck somewhere without something to read.Favorite things: David is an animal freak with two cats that he rescued from the streets of his neighborhood. He claims that if he wasn't touring so much, he would have a menagerie.Weaknesses: Chocolate, sunglasses, shoes, book stores and stray animals. He's the one walking around the Bronx at night with bags of dry dog and cat food.Mr. Hodo is the oldest of seven so he has a terminal Big Brother complex and will always be the bossy one, but "I will always be the one who steps between you and the bully."David is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).
What happens when the performance of a person becomes the trademark of a personality? Felipe Rose is he a puzzle? Felipe Rose is best known as the American Indian attired vocalist in the world famous Village People.Having spent the last 25 years involved in one of the most visible and active groups in pop music, he now brings his energy to Tomahawk Records and The Tomahawk Group, Inc.Felipe Rose is a native New Yorker, having been raised and brought up in Brooklyn. His Puerto Rican and Native American heritage (Lakota Sioux) is reflected in the clothing that he dons to perform. This is not just a costume but also a signifier of where he comes from and his long association with Native American groups across the country. Felipe has been called a “shadow walker”, a Native term for walking in two worlds.Throughout his childhood he displayed intense creative interest in the arts. His mother was a source of tremendous encouragement. She was, in fact, a Copa Cabana dancer in the late 1940s and early 50’s, so music and show business were a constant influence in his home life and beyond. Felipe’s talent manifested itself at an early age and by 16 he had secured a scholarship with the Ballet de Puerto Rico, under the supervision of Pasqual Guzman. During his tenure with the Ballet Company, and while performing at New York’s Lincoln Center, a choreographed dance-drama recital of “Julia de Burgos”, the story of the famous Puerto Rican poetess whose life was cut short by committing suicide. The New York Post’s called his performance “Poignant and Compelling.” That review is what got Felipe hooked, and he knew that, it would be his destiny. To learn more about Felipe’s mother’s cultural island background, please visit Puerto Rico's website. (Please see link below)Felipe’s native aunt later introduced him to the different influences in dance. “Why not also honor your father’s heritage, and dress in your tribal regalia in your dance journey through culture?”While dancing at a New York nightclub in his full Native American regalia he was approached by French music producer Jacques Morali. Felipe’s performance that fateful night led to what has become the worldwide phenomenon; that is The Village People. While, the producer’s were busy with the new members of the group, Felipe was sent to Paris, France, were he choreographed a native dance number for the famous “Crazy Horse Saloon". As the group’s founding member, Felipe is much credited with being the inspiration of putting together a group of people all representing types of New York’s Greenwich Village. His keen visual sense and performance experience led to input and direction for the entire concept of the group representing a true sense of tribal ship. Felipe regards the members of the group as his brothers.The Village People have become and remain a pop culture mainstay of the music scene, touring the world and becoming a family of performers that brings Felipe camaraderie and consistency of life.Never content to be one thing and rest with the fame, Felipe has brought his talents to other ventures. In the 1980s he sang and danced with the Latin music maestro Tito Puente and starred in a regional theatre production of “West Side Story”.In 1996 he started what is now the Tomahawk Group, an innovative entertainment company that encompasses song writing and recording development…having developed a production company that handles Village People releases and songs that represent the making of the group’s show. He’s produced various artists; and now he is turning the focus on himself. (Please see the link to Tomahawk Records below)In the year 2001, Felipe Rose began to work on his first solo endeavor reflecting his experiences and dreams fulfilling a long-standing goal of recording songs that he has written and produced with his longtime composer-arranger, Forrest Lawson of Frostbite Productions. His single “Trail of Tears” was nominated for 3 NAMMYS-Native American Music Awards for Best Historical Recording; Song of the Year; and Best Producer-Forrest Lawson and Tomahawk Records. Felipe was given the honor of opening the 5th Annual Native American Music Awards at the Marcus Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, WI and brought the crowd to its feet! That evening Felipe took home the NAMMY for the 2002 Best Historical Recording.Felipe’s association with national groups such as Native American College Fund and various AIDS charities throughout New York and beyond makes use of his incredible social personality and his sincere nature of caring for the world’s concerns and giving back some of what has been given to him…a true social powerhouse famous for his much talked about parties. Together with Village People, they flex their muscle and use their position in the entertainment industry, in raising millions of dollars for various charities around the world.Felipe Rose currently lives in booming Asbury Park along the Jersey Shore. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus, Ltd., the Village People’s corporate entity, an Advisory Board member of the Native American Music Association; and member of LARAS-Latin Grammys and Grammy’s and the Winter Music Conference.
Jeff Olson, the Cowboy, was born in New York City, but his family moved to West Islip, a Long Island suburb when he was six months old. As early as third grade he showed an interest in music and acting, participating in school plays and regularly singing with the school chorus. He developed a reputation for organizing his school bus buddies to sing along to pop songs on the way to grammar school, much to the dismay of the bus drivers. In high school Jeff continued his interest in music with his involvement in numerous "garage bands." Bands that never seemed to do much more than rehearse. After graduation Jeff moved to Mitchell, South Dakota to begin his college career at Dakota Wesleyan University. There he studied biology, history, and music. During his sophomore year he once again became involved in a band that would eventually become known as STEPCHILD. As lead singer and percussionist, they toured the upper Midwest working as their own booking agent, management, roadies, sound engineer and wardrobe personnel. After 3 years STEPCHILD ultimately disbanded and Jeff chose to relocate to the San Francisco/Bay area in California and pursue a music career. While in California he was also chosen to co-star in the film LA Crackdown. Jeff was then recruited by a fashion agent in San Francisco. After several years as a California model, his agency sent him to New York and then to an affiliated agency in Paris.Jeff enjoyed his life in Paris and it wasn't long before Paris felt as familiar as his own native New York. Strangely, one night out with friends at a local restaurant frequented by models and industry people, Jeff was introduced to a certain Frenchman who was known as a successful music producer for such big name groups as The Richie Family and Village People. It was a disappointingly brief meeting for Jeff who never kept a musical career very far from his thoughts. As the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays approached in the autumn of 1980, he made plans to return to the States to spend time with family.Back in New York that fall, he received a call from a friend telling him of an audition notice that appeared in one of the trade papers seeking a singer/dancer for a pop group. Things happened very fast that fall. He hadn't been back from France for more than two weeks before he found himself auditioning for the famous French music producer he had met just weeks prior, Mr. Jacques Morali. The very same day he was told that he had been selected and that he was now the cowboy of the group known as Village People.During the late 1980's Mr. Olson owned and operated a sports bar in the Los Angeles area. Currently, he is a Connecticut resident and a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).
Ray Simpson is the lead singer and Cop of Village People. From the days of the Village People film, Can't Stop The Music, his voice can be heard on all Village People hits.Born and raised in the Bronx, Ray is proud to be labeled a "Native New Yorker." He is a graduate of City College, majoring in English and minoring in Music.Ray is a Capricorn, born on January 15th, and he proudly shares that date with Martin Luther King, Jr. With Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesus Christ as fellow Capricorns. What better sign could there be?Ray comes from a successful solo career and many years performing with his sister and brother-in-law, Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. Prior to Village People, Mr. Simpson released a solo recording album entitled Tiger Love.He started doing some backup singing for Village People in its first years; soon after he was recruited (on very short notice) to join the group when Victor Willis left.Mr. Simpson is a real sports fan. His other hobbies include backgammon, bicycling, writing music and driving fancy cars. He is also a proud husband and father. Ray, his wife Leslie, and daughter Alayna now reside in New Jersey.Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of Sixuvus Ltd. (the Village People corporation).