HOT CHOCOLATE (THE GOOD AND THE BAD)
19 videos • 876 views • by Mad Foop Hot Chocolate (band) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Hot Chocolate Also known as Hot Chocolate Band Origin West Hampstead, London, England[1] Genres Funk pop disco R&B[2] Years active 1968–1986 1992–present Labels RAK EMI MCA Apple Associated acts Errol Brown Website www.hot-chocolate.co.uk Members Harvey Hinsley Patrick Olive Tony Connor Steve Beast Andy Smith Kennie Simon Past members Errol Brown Larry Ferguson Tony Wilson Ian King Franklyn DeAllie Greg Bannis Willy Dowling Steve Matthews Hot Chocolate are a British soul band popular during the 1970s and 1980s, formed by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson. The act had at least one hit every year between 1970 and 1984 inclusive, and their song "You Sexy Thing" made the Top 10 in three decades.[3] Contents [hide] 1 Beginnings 2 Success 3 Later years 4 Discography 4.1 Studio albums 4.2 Compilation albums 4.3 Singles 5 Personnel 6 References 7 External links Beginnings[edit] The band was originally named 'Hot Chocolate Band' by Mavis Smith, who worked for the Apple Corps press office. This was quickly shortened to Hot Chocolate by Mickie Most. Hot Chocolate started their recording career making a reggae version of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance", but frontman Errol Brown was told he needed permission. He was contacted by Apple Records, discovered that Lennon liked his version, and the group was subsequently signed to Apple Records.[4] The link was short-lived as The Beatles were starting to break up, and the Apple connection soon ended. In 1970 Hot Chocolate, with the help of record producer Mickie Most, began releasing tracks that became hits, such as "Love Is Life", "Emma", "You Could Have Been a Lady" (a U.S. and Canadian hit for April Wine), and "I Believe in Love". All those releases were on the RAK record label, owned by Most. Brown and bassist Tony Wilson wrote most of their original material, and also provided hits for Herman's Hermits, "Bet Yer Life I Do", and Mary Hopkin, "Think About Your Children". Gradually the five piece, Brixton, London based, outfit started to become UK Singles Chart regulars. "Brother Louie", which featured a guest spoken vocal from Alexis Korner, and "Emma" introduced the act. Success[edit] 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 "Every 1's a Winner", which were also U.S. hits, peaking at #3 (1976) and #6 (1979), respectively. "Every 1's a Winner" featured a distinctive distorted guitar riff by Harvey Hinsley using a Roland GR-500. After Wilson's departure for a solo career, that included a 1976 album I Like Your Style, Brown assumed songwriting duties. In 1977, after 15 hits, they finally reached Number One with "So You Win Again". It was one of the few of their recordings that was not written, at least partly, by Brown.[5] The track was a Russ Ballard composition.[5] 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).[5][6] The band eventually had at least one hit, every year, between 1970 and 1984.[3] Critically, they were often lambasted or simply ignored, and apart from compilations their albums such as Cicero Park sold modestly. 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. In all, the group charted 25 UK Top 40 hit singles. Their single "You Sexy Thing" became the only track that made British Top Ten status in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.[3] Later years[edit] Its renewed appreciation can be credited in part to its appearances in a string of successful films starting with the 1997 comedy The Full Monty, and in a 1989 acne lotion commercial (featuring a young Patsy Palmer).[7] From the late 1980s onwards the group experienced a resurgence of credibility: Urge Overkill, PJ Harvey and The Sisters of Mercy all added Hot Chocolate songs to their live sets,[8] and Cud's cover of "You Sexy Thing" featured in John Peel's Festive 50. When Hot Chocolate disbanded in 1986, Errol Brown began a solo career. Two of his singles made the UK Singles Chart - "Personal Touch" and "Body Rockin'". Hot Chocolate had a hit in 1988 in Germany. "Never Pretend" was written by Harvey Hinsley and Susan Stuttard, and the vocalist was Grant Evelyn.[9] The band's enduring popularity was verified when two compilation albums both reached #1 in the UK Albums Chart (see below). In 2003, Errol Brown received the MBE; and in 2004, the Ivor Novello Award for his contribution to British music. Sadly in May of 2015,we lost Errol Brown MBE to Liver Cancer R.I.P and Thank You.