Glenn Michael Hughes, born on July 18, 1950, was a renowned American singer who played a pivotal role as the original "Leatherman" in the iconic disco group Village People from 1977 to 1996.
Prior to his music career, Hughes attended Chaminade High School, graduating in 1968. He then went on to study at Manhattan College, where he was initiated as a member of the prestigious Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity music in 1969.
Hughes' passion for motorcycles led him to a job as a toll collector at the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, where he responded to an advertisement by composer Jacques Morali seeking "macho" singers and dancers. This marked the beginning of his journey with the Village People, where he and other members underwent a crash course in synchronized dance choreography.
Hughes became an iconic figure of the disco era, sporting an extravagant horseshoe moustache and wearing his trademark leather outfit on and off stage. According to Jack Fritscher, Jacques Morali drew inspiration for the character from the gay BDSM leather bar and sex club, the Mineshaft, which Hughes frequently visited.
In his personal life, Hughes was a bike enthusiast and kept his motorcycle parked inside his house. He was also a heavy smoker since his teenage years and was diagnosed with lung cancer, which led to his retirement from the group in 1996.
Hughes was replaced by Eric Anzalone, but he continued to manage the band. During his career, he was named one of People Magazine's 1979 'Most Beautiful People' and appeared in the television special The Playboy Mansion with Hugh Hefner.
Tragically, Hughes passed away on March 4, 2001, at the age of 50, due to complications from lung cancer. He was laid to rest at Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York, wearing his iconic leatherman outfit.
