Hot Chocolate: Difference between revisions

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	==Success==		==Success==
	It was in the ] 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 vocal ] enabled them to secure further big hits such as "You Sexy Thing" and "]", which were also US hits, peaking at No. 3 (1976) and No. 6 (1979), respectively. After Wilson's departure for a solo career, that included a 1976 album ''I Like Your Style'', Brown assumed all songwriting duties. Wilson was initially replaced by Brian Satterwhite; before Satterwhite departed the band and Olive switched to bass as his primary instrument.<ref name="badcatrecords1"/>		It was in the ] 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 vocal ] enabled them to secure further big hits such as "You Sexy Thing" and "]", which were also US hits, peaking at No. 3 (1976) and No. 6 (1979), respectively. After Wilson's departure for a solo career, that included a 1976 album ''I Like Your Style'', Brown assumed all songwriting duties. Wilson was initially replaced by Brian Satterwhite; before Satterwhite departed the band and Olive switched to bass as his primary instrument<ref name="badcatrecords1"/>.

	In 1977, after 15 hits, they finally reached ] with "]". It was one of the few of their recordings that was not written, at least partly, by Brown.<ref name="British Hit Singles"/> The track was a ] composition.<ref name="British Hit Singles"/>		In 1977, after 15 hits, they finally reached ] with "]". It was one of the few of their recordings that was not written, at least partly, by Brown<ref name="British Hit Singles"/> The track was a ] composition<ref name="British Hit Singles"/>.

	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 ] and ]).<ref name="British Hit Singles">{{cite book		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 ] and ])<ref name="British Hit Singles">{{cite book
	\| first= David		\| first= David
	\| last= Roberts		\| last= Roberts
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	\| location= Enfield, Middlesex		\| location= Enfield, Middlesex
	\| isbn= 0-85112-250-7		\| isbn= 0-85112-250-7
	\| page= 184}}</ref>		\| page= 184}}</ref>.
	The band eventually had at least one hit, every year, between 1970 and 1984.<ref ~~name="~~British Hit Singles & Albums"/>		The band eventually had at least one hit, every year, between 1970 and 1984<ref> Archive.org</ref>.

	The band continued well into the 1980s, and clocked up another big hit record: "]", in 1982, which reached Number 5 in the UK. In all, the group charted 25 ] hit singles. ~~Their single "You Sexy Thing" became the only track that made British ] status in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>~~		The band continued well into the 1980s, and clocked up another big hit record: "]", in 1982, which reached Number 5 in the UK. In all, the group charted 25 ] hit singles.

			In 1987, ] made ]es of Hot Chocolate hits; '' You sexy thing (remix) '' <ref> '' '' Liebrand.com </ref> and '' Everyone's a winner ''<ref>''''Liebrand.com</ref> and a combination remix of those two hits called ''Two in a bed'' <ref>''Youtube.com</ref>
			Their single "You Sexy Thing" became the only track that made British ] status in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.<ref> Archive.org</ref>.

	==Later years==		==Later years==

Revision as of 11:15, 2 May 2021

"Hot Chocolate" redirects here. For the drink, see hot chocolate. For other uses, see Hot chocolate (disambiguation).

Hot Chocolate
Errol Brown, WDR-Veranstaltung, Köln, Alter Markt, 1998
Background information
Also known as	The Hot Chocolate Band
Origin	West Hampstead, London, England
Genres	Funk soul pop disco
Years active	1968–1986 1988 1992–present
Labels	Rak EMI MCA Apple

Members	Patrick Olive Tony Connor Harvey Hinsley Steve Ansell Andy Smith Kennie Simon

Past members	Errol Brown Tony Wilson Franklyn DeAllie Jim King Ian King Larry Ferguson Brian Satterwhite Grant Evelyn Greg Bannis Willy Dowling Steve Matthews Derek Lewis

Website	hot-chocolate.co.uk

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 from 1970 to 1984, and their 1975 song "You Sexy Thing" made the Top 10 in three decades.

Beginnings

Formed in 1968, the band initially consisted of vocalist Errol Brown, guitarist Franklyn De Allie, drummer Jim King (shortly thereafter replaced by the unrelated Ian King), percussionist Patrick Olive, and bassist Tony Wilson; with keyboardist Larry Ferguson joining the band in the following year. The band was originally named "Hot Chocolate Band" by Mavis Smith, who worked for the Apple Corps press office. This was quickly shortened first to "The Hot Chocolate" and then to "Hot Chocolate" by Mickie Most. By 1970 the band's line-up had changed again to include Harvey Hinsley and Tony Connor (who was also a member of Audience at the time) replacing De Allie and King respectively.

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. The link was short-lived as the Beatles were starting to break up, and the Apple connection soon ended.

Later 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 US 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", Julie Felix, "Heaven is Here", and Mary Hopkin, "Think About Your Children".

Gradually the band started to become UK Singles Chart regulars. One of the hits from this period, "Brother Louie", featured a guest spoken vocal from Alexis Korner.

Success

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 vocal harmonies enabled them to secure further big hits such as "You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's a Winner", which were also US hits, peaking at No. 3 (1976) and No. 6 (1979), respectively. After Wilson's departure for a solo career, that included a 1976 album I Like Your Style, Brown assumed all songwriting duties. Wilson was initially replaced by Brian Satterwhite; before Satterwhite departed the band and Olive switched to bass as his primary instrument.

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 The track was a Russ Ballard composition.

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). The band eventually had at least one hit, every year, between 1970 and 1984.

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.

In 1987, Ben Liebrand made remixes of Hot Chocolate hits; You sexy thing (remix) and Everyone's a winner and a combination remix of those two hits called Two in a bed Their single "You Sexy Thing" became the only track that made British Top Ten status in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s..

Later years

Renewed interest in Hot Chocolate came in part with the band’s appearances on a string of successful film soundtracks starting with the 1997 comedy The Full Monty, as well as in a 1989 acne lotion commercial (featuring a young Patsy Palmer). 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, and Cud's cover of "You Sexy Thing" featured in John Peel's Festive 50.

Errol Brown and Larry Ferguson departed the band in 1986; ultimately leading the group to disband. Brown then 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. The band's enduring popularity was verified when two compilation albums both reached No. 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.

In 1992 the band reformed with new vocalist Greg Bannis and keyboardists Steve Ansell, Andy Smith, Willy Dowling, and Steve Matthews (the latter two of which departed the band in 1994), and manager and agent Ric Martin took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Kennie Simon took over lead vocals in 2010 following the departure of Bannis and Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe.

On 6 May 2015, original frontman and principal songwriter Errol Brown died from liver cancer. He was 71.

Personnel

Members

Current members

Patrick Olive – percussion (1968–1984, 1988, 1992–present), bass (1975–1984, 1988, 1992–present)
Tony Connor – drums, percussion (1970–1986, 1988, 1992–present)
Harvey Hinsley – guitars (1970–1986, 1988, 1992–present)
Steve Ansell – keyboards, guitars (1994–present)
Andy Smith – keyboards (1994–present)
Kennie Simon – lead vocals (2010–present)

Former members

Errol Brown – lead vocals, guitar (1968–1986)
Tony Wilson – bass, lead vocals (1968–1975)
Franklyn De Allie – guitars (1968–1970)
Jim King – drums, percussion (1968–1970)
Larry Ferguson – keyboards (1969–1986)
Derek Lewis – percussion, backing vocals (1975)
Brian Satterwhite – bass, backing vocals (1975)
Rick Green - keyboards (1975)
Grant Evelyn – lead vocals (1988)
Greg Bannis – lead vocals (1992–2010)
Willy Dowling – keyboards, backing vocals (1992–1994)
Steve Matthews – keyboards, backing vocals (1992–1994)

Line-ups

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

1968–1969	1969–1970	1970–1975	1975
Errol Brown – lead vocals Franklyn De Allie – guitars Jim King – drums, percussion Patrick Olive – percussion Tony Wilson – bass, lead vocals	Errol Brown – lead vocals Franklyn De Allie – guitars Jim King – drums, percussion Patrick Olive – percussion Tony Wilson – bass, lead vocals Larry Ferguson – keyboards	Errol Brown – lead vocals Patrick Olive – percussion Tony Wilson – bass, lead vocals Larry Ferguson – keyboards Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars	Errol Brown – lead vocals Patrick Olive – percussion Larry Ferguson – keyboards Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars Brian Satterwhite – bass, backing vocals Derek Lewis – percussion, backing vocals
1975–1986	1986–1988	1988	1988–1992
Errol Brown – lead vocals Patrick Olive – bass, percussion Larry Ferguson – keyboards Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars	Disbanded	Patrick Olive – bass, percussion Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars Grant Evelyn – lead vocals	Disbanded
1992–1994	1994–2010	2010–present
Patrick Olive – bass, percussion Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars Greg Bannis – lead vocals Willy Dowling – keyboards, backing vocals Steve Matthews – keyboards, backing vocals	Patrick Olive – bass, percussion Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars Steve Ansell – keyboards, guitars Greg Bannis – lead vocals Andy Smith – keyboards	Patrick Olive – bass, percussion Tony Connor – drums, percussion Harvey Hinsley – guitars Steve Ansell – keyboards, guitars Andy Smith – keyboards Kennie Simon – lead vocals, keyboards

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Hot Chocolate discography

Studio Albums

All albums released by Rak Records unless otherwise noted.

Cicero Park (1974)
Hot Chocolate (1975)
Man to Man (1976)
Every 1's a Winner (1978)
Going Through the Motions (1979)
Class (1980)
Mystery (1982)
Love Shot (1983)
Strictly Dance (1993, Polydor)

References

"ERROL BROWN: A Fondent Farewell". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 259/260. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
^ "B". Badcatrecords.com. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
"Top of the Pops 2 – Top 5". BBC. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
"ERROL BROWN: A Fondent Farewell". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
^ Roberts, David (2001). British Hit Singles (14th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 47. ISBN 0-85156-156-X.
Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 184. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
British Hit Singles & Albums Archive.org
Liebrand Award Hot Chocolate Liebrand.com
Index Liebrand ProductionsLiebrand.com
Two in a bed (1987)Youtube.com
British Hit Singles & Albums Archive.org
"Download | Clearasil Advert 1989 (Patsy Palmer) 1980s". Downloadablemovies.org. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
Roberts, David (1998). Guinness Rockopedia (1st ed.). London: Guinness Publishing Ltd. p. 196. ISBN 0-85112-072-5.
"Hot Chocolate – Never Pretend (Vinyl) at Discogs". discogs. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
"HOT CHOCOLATE biography". The Great Rock Bible. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2016.
"Home". Hot Chocolate. Retrieved 7 April 2013.
"Errol Brown, Hot Chocolate singer, dies aged 71 – BBC News". BBC. Retrieved 4 July 2015.

External links

v t e Hot Chocolate
Patrick Olive Tony Connor Harvey Hinsley Steve Ansell Andy Smith Kennie Simon Errol Brown Tony Wilson Franklyn De Allie Jim King Ian King Larry Ferguson Brian Satterwhite Grant Evelyn Greg Bannis Willy Dowling Steve Matthews
Studio albums	Cicero Park Hot Chocolate Man to Man Every 1's a Winner
Compilation albums	Their Greatest Hits
Singles	"Give Peace a Chance" "Love Is Life" "You Could Have Been a Lady" "Brother Louie" "Emma" "You Sexy Thing" "So You Win Again" "Every 1's a Winner" "I'll Put You Together Again" "No Doubt About It" "I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I)" "It Started with a Kiss"
Related articles	Discography Mickie Most

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