Charlotte HughesVillage People frontman and co-writer of YMCA, Victor Willis, died on 30 June 2026 at the age of 74, following what his family described as a short but aggressive illness. Willis co-wrote some of the best-selling pop anthems of the 20th century — and leaves behind a catalogue generating over $1 million a year in royalties. His passing raises a question every songwriter, musician, and creative professional in the UK should consider: what actually happens to music royalties when their owner dies?
What Made Victor Willis's Royalties So Valuable
Willis joined Village People as lead vocalist in 1977 and co-wrote the group's biggest hits, including YMCA, Macho Man, In the Navy, and Go West. Initially, like many artists of his era, he signed away his rights to record labels and music publishers. For years, he earned just $30,000 to $40,000 a year from those catalogues.
That changed in 2013, when Willis won a landmark copyright case in the United States, successfully invoking termination rights — a legal mechanism that allows songwriters to reclaim their copyrights after 35 years, even if they originally signed them away. Following the ruling, his annual royalty income climbed above $1 million. YMCA alone had earned an estimated $74 million in publishing revenues by the time of its 50th anniversary.
Willis's legal victory became a touchstone in the music industry's long debate about how creative rights are valued — and who ultimately controls them.
UK Copyright Law: 70 Years of Protection After Death
In the United Kingdom, copyright in a musical composition lasts for 70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last surviving co-writer dies. This is the "life plus 70" rule, enshrined in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended by EU Directive 2011/77/EU.
For Willis, this means his share of the Village People catalogue will continue generating royalties for seven decades after his death — an income stream that, in his case, is substantial. Under UK law, that copyright asset forms part of his estate and can be inherited by heirs, just like property or savings.
Critically, royalties do not simply stop at the point of death. They continue to accrue and must be formally redirected through the correct legal process. Without the right steps, that income can sit unclaimed — or worse, be disputed by third parties.
The Role of PRS for Music
In the UK, PRS for Music is the body responsible for licensing and distributing performing royalties to songwriters and composers. When a PRS member dies, their membership terminates automatically — but this does not mean the royalties disappear.
PRS will continue to collect royalties on behalf of the deceased member's estate until 31 December of the seventh year following the date of death, or until a successor member is formally admitted — whichever comes first. If a successor is admitted, PRS continues distributing the writer's share to them for the remainder of the copyright term.
The practical challenge is that PRS requires formal legal documentation before recognising any successor. Specifically, it requires either a UK Grant of Probate (where a will was left) or Letters of Administration (where there was no will). Where those documents were obtained outside the UK, they must be resealed under English law before PRS will accept them.
Probate, Wills, and the Risk of Delays
Probate is the legal mechanism through which a deceased person's estate — including intellectual property — is formally administered. Obtaining a Grant of Probate from HM Courts and Tribunals Service can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and whether the will is contested.
For an estate that includes music royalties, delays in probate can mean months of unpaid income sitting in limbo. During that time, royalties may continue to be collected by collection societies, but they cannot be legally distributed to heirs until the estate is formally resolved.
This is why specialist legal advice is so valuable for estates that include intellectual property. A solicitor experienced in music rights and estate law can accelerate the probate process, ensure the correct succession documentation is submitted to PRS and other collection societies, and protect the estate against third-party claims — including former record labels or publishers who may attempt to reassert control over catalogues.
According to gov.uk guidance on applying for probate, executors have a legal obligation to identify and protect all assets in the estate — including intangible assets such as copyright — before distribution can take place.
What UK Songwriters and Musicians Should Do Now
Willis's death is a timely reminder that music royalties, however valuable, are not automatically protected without proper estate planning. Several steps can help ensure a catalogue is preserved and passed on smoothly.
Make a will that explicitly addresses intellectual property. A general will may fail to name copyright assets specifically, which can create confusion about how royalties should be distributed and to whom.
Appoint an executor with relevant expertise. Managing a royalty-generating estate requires familiarity with copyright law, collection society processes, and licensing agreements — skills that a general executor may not possess.
Keep clear records of authorship and publishing agreements. In the UK, copyright arises automatically and does not need to be registered — but heirs will need to prove authorship to assert rights. Keeping documented records of co-writing arrangements and any publishing deals signed is essential.
Review whether termination rights may apply. As Willis demonstrated in the US, songwriters who signed away their rights decades ago may be entitled to reclaim them. A music lawyer can advise on whether similar reversionary provisions exist under UK law.
Why You May Need a Specialist Solicitor
The intersection of intellectual property law, probate, and collection society processes is specialist territory. Not every solicitor has the expertise to handle it, particularly where catalogues are commercially significant, where co-writers are involved, or where long-standing publishing agreements need to be interpreted.
A music and IP solicitor can advise on the valuation of copyright for probate purposes, the correct procedures for transferring memberships with PRS and other bodies, and any inheritance tax implications arising from the catalogue's value.
On ExpertZoom, you can connect directly with solicitors who specialise in music law, intellectual property, and estate planning. Whether you are a working musician considering your own succession, or an executor managing a songwriter's estate, the right legal guidance can protect significant value — for the 70 years that UK copyright law allows.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your circumstances.
