Hot Chocolate are a British Funk band popular during the 1970s and 1980s, formed by Errol Brown. They had at least one hit every year between 1970 and 1984 inclusive. Their song ‘You Sexy Thing’ made the Top 10 in three decades.
Hot Chocolate formed in Brixton, London in 1968. Original members of the group included: Errol Brown, Tony Connor, Larry Ferguson, Harvey Hinsley, Patrick Olive, and Tony Wilson.
In 1970 Hot Chocolate began releasing tracks that became hits, such as ‘Love Is Life’, ‘Emma’, ‘You Could Have Been A Lady’ and ‘I Believe In Love’. It was in the Disco era of the mid-1970s that Hot Chocolate became a big success. A combination of high production standards, the growing confidence of the main songwriting team of Wilson and Brown, and tight harmonies enabled them to secure further big hits. Such as ‘You Sexy Thing’ and ‘Everyone’s A Winner’, which were also U.S. hits, peaking at #3 in 1976 and #6 in 1979. The band became the only group, and one of just three acts, that had a hit in every year of the 1970s in the UK charts (the other two being Elvis Presley and Diana Ross). Errol Brown became the only songwriter in the group after Tony Wilson departed the group for a solo career.
The band continued well into the 1980s, and clocked up another big hit record ‘It Started With A Kiss’ in 1982, which reached Number 5 in the UK. The group charted 25 UK Top 40 hit singles.
In 1981, Hot Chocolate had the honour of being invited by Prince Charles and Lady Diana at their pre-wedding reception at Buckingham Palace. This was attended by heads of Government and many members of European Royalty.
In 1986 Errol left the band and the rest of the members of Hot Chocolate also took some time off to consider their future. But in 1992 Patrick Olive, Harvey Hinsley, and Tony Connor joined up with agent Richard Martin and decided to start touring again. The band found a new singer Greg Bannis and keyboard players Andy Smith and Steve Ansell.
Since 1992, the band has enjoyed years of continued success touring all around the world performing to many thousands of fans who love the music of Hot Chocolate. In 1997 the classic single ‘You Sexy Thing’ reached number one in the charts after it was featured in the movie ‘The Full Monty’. Then in 2010 singer Kennie Simon, the UK’s most popular Errol Brown lookalike and sound-alike, replaced Greg Bannis on vocals creating what many are saying is the best sound ever!
For more information on booking or hiring Hot Chocolate for your event please contact Big Foot Events.
