Remembering Glenn Hughes, the original “Leatherman”

The Village People iconic “biker” was born on this day in 1951

Remembering Glenn Hughes, the original “Leatherman”



Glenn Hughes secured his place in Pop culture history as one of the original members of the disco band Village People. His persona was the “Leatherman”, one of the most popular. Born in New York City, New York on July 18, 1950, Hughes has always been interested in motorcycles, and during the late 1970’s was working as a toll collector at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel when he responded to an advertisement by composer Jacques Morali seeking “macho” singers and dancers. Shortly after, the Village People were formed and Hughes and the other chosen members of the band were given a crash course in the now iconic synchronized dance choreography popularized by them. Hughes trademark was his leather outfit on and off stage and sported an extravagant horseshoe mustache. In 1979 People Magazine’s named him one of the most beautiful people in the world. As the the band’s “biker” and a real-life fanatic, he kept his motorcycle parked inside his home. Glenn Hughes became one of the icons of the disco era and also of the LGBT community. With the Village People Hughes scored several disco hits mainly during the late 1970’s including “YMCA”, “Macho Man” and “In the Navy”.  In 1996, he retired from dancing and launched a successful New York cabaret act being replaced in the band by Eric Anzalone. Shortly after he fell ill with lung cancer. He passed in 2001 at age 50 and was subsequently interred wearing his leatherman outfit.



Watch Glenn Hughes in action with the Village People in the music video “Macho Man”



Also watch: The Village People performing their famous choreography in the “YMCA” music video

Watch more 1970’srelated videos

 

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