From Staff Reports 

NEWTON, N.C. — The iconic vocal group Village People will perform in a concert that is being promoted as “one unforgettable night” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Newton Performing Arts Center at 60 West 6th Street, here.

Regarding the show, a promotion stated, “Their music has become part of the international songbook. The group’s hits are featured in dozens of major motion pictures, on Broadway, in commercials and in ‘Village People Party’ slot machines. 

“Of course, ‘Y.M.C.A.’ (along with its dance) is played at almost every party, wedding, bar mitzvah and sporting event in the universe. It began in 1977, when producer Jacques Morali and his partner Henri Belolo, known collectively as Can’t Stop Productions, were recording a new album for their hit group the Ritchie Family, called African Queen and needed background singers. Horace Ott, the arranger/conductor who was working with them, suggested Victor Willis, a singer he was recording who also was performing in the Broadway musical ‘The Wiz.’ 

“After Willis completed background on the album, Morali approached him about another musical project he and Belolo were planning which turned out to be Village People. ‘I had a dream that you sang lead vocals on an album I produced, and it went very, very big,’ Morali told Willis. ‘I have four tracks. I can’t pay you much right now, but if you agree, I’ll make you a star.’ Willis agreed and the rest is history. 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.million in combined sales/streams.”

For tickets, which are $80-$95, visit online www.NCAuditorium.com.