The Village People, 27 years later
By MARTY CLEAR
Published December 16, 2004
Nobody thought it would last this long. Show biz jobs aren't supposed to go on for 27 years.
Even Alex Briley didn't expect a long-term job when a record producer approached him in 1977 and asked him to be part of a new novelty disco act called the Village People. "It's almost impossible to believe," said Briley, better known as the GI. "But here it is nearly 28 years later, and it's still as popular."
Even the most ardent disco-basher has to admit that the Village People has a kitschy staying power. The group hasn't topped the charts in decades, but the People still gets steady work. Not many bands from 1977 can make that claim.
"We're still working, so that proves there's some value in the music," Briley said.
Briley and the rest of the Village People will be in Clearwater on Friday with fellow disco legends KC and the Sunshine Band for a disco Christmas show.
Both groups are going to perform all their hits. But also on tap are some disco versions of traditional seasonal songs. Briley won't say which ones.
He recognizes, though, that Y.M.C.A., In the Navy and Macho Man will be more of a draw than a bass-enhanced version of Away in a Manger.
"As long as there are people out there who want to hear these songs, we'll keep doing them," Briley said. "For a lot of people it brings back memories, of their first date, of a child being born or even just an aerobics class."
Half of the original members are still with the group. A lot of bands from the same era that still tour have one or maybe two original members, and often not important members at that.
But three of the original six Village People remain: Briley, Felipe Rose (the Indian) and David Hodo (the construction worker). Even the newcomers aren't that new. Two have been Village People since 1980; the newest member joined in 1995.
Briley said he knows some folks still snicker about disco and about his ultra-campy group. But as long as the boys in the band are having fun, they don't mind a few jabs.
Besides, for every person who laughs, there's another person who compliments them or calls them show biz legends.
"When we played colleges," Briley said, "there were kids coming up to us and saying, "We're so glad you guys have stayed together. We never thought we'd get a chance to see you.' "
PREVIEW:The Village People and KC and the Sunshine Band, 8 p.m. Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall. Tickets are $40.50, $45.50, $49.50 and $75 plus service charge. 727 791-7400 or www.rutheckerdhall.com