Glenn Hughes

Glenn Michael Hughes (July 18, 1950 – March 4, 2001) was a prominent American vocalist best known as the original "Leatherman" for the iconic disco group Village People, a role he held from 1977 until 1996. After completing his education at Chaminade High School in 1968, he attended Manhattan College, where he became a member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music fraternity in 1969. His passion for motorcycles and the arts led him to a career in music, initially working as a toll collector at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel before auditioning for Jacques Morali's call for "macho" singers and dancers.

Hughes captivated audiences with his signature horseshoe moustache and leather outfits, becoming a cultural symbol of the disco movement. His character drew inspiration from the leather bar scene, particularly the Mineshaft, which he frequented. In addition to his musical contributions, Hughes also developed a successful cabaret act in New York after leaving Village People, although his career was cut short by a lung cancer diagnosis, a consequence of his long-term smoking habit.

In 1979, Hughes was featured in People Magazine's list of 'Most Beautiful People' and made an appearance in a special with Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Mansion. He passed away on March 4, 2001, in Manhattan, at the age of 50, and was laid to rest in his beloved leather attire at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.