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Hot Chocolate music biography continued...

group was Jamaican Brit, Errol Brown, who took on lead vocalists duties and was joined by guitarist Harvey Hinsley, keyboardist Larry Ferguson, bassist Tony Wilson, drummer Tony Connor, and conga player Pat Olive. Brown started their recording career making a reggae version of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance", but he was told he needed permission. Much to Brown's surprise, he was contacted by Apple Records, and discovered that John Lennon loved his version, and they subsequently signed to Apple Records. The deal soon fizzled, however, and Hot Chocolate began releasing tracks off the RAK record label that became minor hits, such as "Love Is Life" (1970), Brother Louie and Emma, which introduced the band's distinctive sound. With the dawn of the disco era, Hot Chocolate became superstars with such classic funky disco soul singles as "You Sexy Thing" and "Every 1's a Winner," which featured tight harmonies, high production standards and lyrics from the increasingly more self-confident songwriting team of Errol Brown and Tony Wilson.



Hot Chocolate went on to become the only group, and one of just three UK chart acts, that scored a hit in every year of the 1970s. Though they were derided by critics, the British public loved Hot Chocolate; and they eventually had at least one hit, every single year, between 1970 and 1984. Whilst their longevity had its ups and downs they continued well into the 1980s, and scored another big hit record: "It Started With A Kiss", in 1982. In all, the group charted no less than 25 UK top 40 hit singles. Their epic - "You Sexy Thing" - seemed to have a life of its own. It appeared in various guises to become the only track ever that made British Top Ten status, in each of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. While Hot Chocolate officially disbanded in 1986, they left behind tunes with the type of lasting appeal that each new generation of music fans are sure to love.