Original Village People policeman in hospital

Willis, the band's original policeman, is resting in a San Diego hospital after surgery Monday to remove nodules from his vocal cords, spokeswoman Linda Smith said.

Willis sang lead and co-wrote lyrics to such Village People hits as "Y-M-C-A" and "Macho Man." He developed hoarseness after several 2007 performances, forcing him to cancel European and Canadian concert dates this year.

He's expected to recover and reschedule the tour dates.

Willis left the group in 1980. In 2006, San Francisco police found cocaine in his car; he pleaded no contest to drug possession and served three years' probation.

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