Hot Chocolate -

Hot Chocolate was an English soul-funk band from London that scored twelve UK Top 10 singles, including the 1977 chart-topper “So You Win Again” and the transatlantic hits “You Sexy Thing” and “Every 1’s a Winner.” They made eight RAK studio albums between their 1974 release Cicero Park and 1983 title Love Shot.

Members: Patrick Olive (congas, bass), Errol Brown (lead vocals, 1968-86), Larry Ferguson (keyboards, vocals, 1968-86), Tony Wilson (bass, 1968-75), Ian King (drums, 1968-73), Franklyn De Allie (guitar, 1968-70), Harvey Hinsley (guitar, vocals, 1970-86, 1992-present), Tony Connor (drums, 1973-86, 1992-present), Steve “Beast” Ansell (keyboards, guitar, 1992–present), Andy Smith (keyboards, vocals, 1992–present), Greg Bannis (lead vocals, 1992–2010), Willy Dowling (keyboards, vocals, 1992–94), Steve Matthews (keyboards, vocals, 1992–94), Kennie Simon (lead vocals, 2010–present)

Background

Hot Chocolate formed in 1968 in West Hampstead, London, when singers Errol Brown and Tony Wilson commenced a songwriting partnership.

Brown was born Lester Errol Brown on Nov. 12, 1943, in Kingston, Jamaica. He moved to London as a child and attended Warwick House in West Hampstead. Brown subsequently worked as a Treasury clerk in Whitehall.

Wilson was born Anthony Nathaniel Wilson on Oct. 8, 1936, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. He attended Tranquillity Boys School and Belmont Modern in Port of Spain. Wilson moved to Britain in 1961 and entered the London music circuit. Between 1964 and 1967, he issued three solo singles: “Yes I Do” on Decca, followed by “What Did I Do” (b/w “Can’t Waste a Good Thing”) and “Sweet Kind of Loving” (b/w “Time”) on Columbia. Wilson also recorded with the Soul Brothers, whose 1965 Decca single “I Keep Ringing My Baby” reached No. 43 on the UK chart.

Brown and Wilson met through mutual friends while both men lived on Hillfield Road in West Hampstead. They formed a working group with percussionist Patrick Olive (b. March 22, 1947; Grenada), guitarist Franklyn De Allie, and drummer Jim King (alternately credited as Ian King). In 1969, they on-boarded keyboardist Larry Ferguson (b. April 14, 1948; Nassau, Bahamas).

Early Singles

In 1969, the group recorded a lyrically modified reggae version of the John Lennon chant “Give Peace a Chance.” The recording reached Apple Records for the approval of Lennon, who authorized the adaptation. Apple press officer Mavis Smith named the group The Hot Chocolate Band. Apple issued “Give Peace a Chance” in October 1969 (b/w “Living Without Tomorrow”). Wilson remained off the lead part because of an existing recording contract, leaving Brown as lead singer.

Producer Mickie Most signed the songwriting pair through his RAK operation. Most placed “Bet Yer Life I Do” with Herman’s Hermits and “Heaven Is Here” with Julie Felix, while Mary Hopkin recorded “Think About Your Children” for Apple. Most also shortened the group name to Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate issued “Love Is Life” in July 1970 on RAK (b/w “Pretty Girls”), which reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. Guitarist Harvey Hinsley joined that summer as Franklyn De Allie’s replacement. Hinsley came from The Outlaws and a post-Cliff Bennett edition of The Rebel Rousers, followed by Black Claw with Chas Hodges, Mick Burt, and Dave Peacock.

Discography: