Formed in 1977, The Village People are returning for their Greatest Hits Australian Tour next month to take disco fans — old and new — on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with their hits. Kylie Stevens chats with original member Soldier Alexander Briley in New York.
You can't stop the music for The Village People.
They'll Go West to Penrith Panthers on March 14 for one of two Sydney concerts.
Soldier Alexander Briley is one of two original members and is excited about coming to Australia again.
"Most definitely, I feel like a little boy every time I go there," he told Fairfax Media from his New York home.
"This will be the 32nd time I've been there but it's got to the point where I'm losing count. I've always had a great time in Australia so I can't wait to catch with friends and audiences."
Melbourne is his favourite Australian city.
"There's something about the city itself," he said.
"If I could live anywhere in Australia, it would be in Melbourne. It's a beautiful place."
Briley can't recall performing at Penrith Panthers.
"If you haven't seen one of our shows before, get ready to stand on your feet," he said.
"We like people to get up and dance. It's a high energy show."
The group has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
"We're surprised but very happy that The Village People are still going," Briley said.
"My favourite song to perform is YMCA because it's a song everyone loves to sing and dance to. It makes people giddy. The hardest part is travelling but we enjoy what we do but it's a wonderful job where we have a great crowd."
Briley originally performed in jeans and a T-shirt but soon embraced the soldier character and appeared as a sailor for the band's In the Navy music clip.
"It's the closest I'll become to being in the military," he said.
Briley had this advice for aspiring performers.
"There's a lot out there to explore until you find something you like," he said.
"You don't need a piece of paper to express yourself."
Will this be the last Australian tour for The Village People?
"I don't know, it's hard to say," Briley said.
Details: Evan Theatre at Penrith Panthers. March 14, 8pm. Tickets: $72.10.