Hot Chocolate (band)
| Hot Chocolate | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Hot Chocolate Band |
| Origin | West Hampstead, London, England[1] |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | Errol Brown |
| Website |
www |
| 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 from 1970 to 1984, and their song "You Sexy Thing" made the Top 10 in three decades.[3]
Beginnings
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-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
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
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.
In 1992, with new line-up (new lead singer Greg Bannis), manager and agent Ric Martin took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Kennie Simon took over lead vocals in 2010 and Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe.[10]
On 6 May 2015, founding member Errol Brown died from liver cancer. He was 71.[11]
Discography
| Hot Chocolate discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 8 |
| Compilation albums | 14 |
| Singles | 50 |
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Peak positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [12] |
NL [13] |
NZ [14] |
US [15] | ||
| 1974 | Cicero Park
|
– | – | – | 55 |
| 1975 | Hot Chocolate
|
34 | – | – | 41 |
| 1976 | Man to Man
|
32 | – | – | 172 |
| 1978 | Every 1's a Winner
|
30 | 14 | 23 | 31 |
| 1979 | Going Through the Motions
|
– | – | – | 112 |
| 1980 | Class
|
– | – | – | – |
| 1982 | Mystery
|
24 | 28 | 27 | – |
| 1983 | Love Shot
|
– | 41 | – | – |
| 1993 | Strictly Dance
|
– | – | – | – |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Peak positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [12] |
NL [13] |
NZ [14] | ||
| 1976 | XIV Greatest Hits
|
6 | – | – |
| 1979 | 20 Greatest Hits | – | 3 | – |
20 Hottest Hits
|
3 | 25 | 10 | |
| 1987 | The Very Best of Hot Chocolate
|
1 | – | 22 |
2001
|
– | – | – | |
| 1993 | Their Greatest Hits
|
1 | – | 3 |
Platinum (The Very Best Of)
|
– | 9 | – | |
| 1996 | The Most of Hot Chocolate
|
– | – | – |
| 1999 | Greatest Hits Part Two
|
– | – | – |
| 2000 | Best of the 70s | – | – | – |
| 2002 | Brother Louie | – | – | – |
| 2004 | The Essential Collection | – | – | – |
| A's B's & Rarities | – | – | – | |
| 2009 | Hottest Hits
|
– | – | – |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
Album | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [12] |
AU | BEL [17] |
GER [18] |
IE [19] |
NL [13] |
NZ [14] |
US [15] | ||||
| 1969 | "Give Peace a Chance" (as Hot Chocolate Band) | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | — | |
| 1970 | "Love Is Life" | 6 | – | – | – | 13 | – | – | – | ||
| 1971 | "You Could Have Been a Lady" | 22 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| "I Believe (In Love)" | 8 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1972 | "Mary-Anne" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| "You'll Always Be a Friend" | 23 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1973 | "Brother Louie" | 7 | 36 | – | – | 19 | – | – | – | ||
| "Rumours" | 44 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1974 | "Emma" | 3 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 7 | 2 | – | 8 |
|
Cicero Park |
| "Changing World" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| "Cheri Babe" | 31 | 68 | 26 | – | – | 10 | – | – | — | ||
| 1975 | "Blue Night" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Disco Queen" | 11 | – | – | 48 | 16 | – | – | 28 | Cicero Park | ||
| "A Child's Prayer" | 7 | 92 | – | – | 6 | – | – | – | Hot Chocolate | ||
| "You Sexy Thing" | 2 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | |||
| 1976 | "Don't Stop It Now" | 11 | – | – | 18 | 12 | – | – | 42 | Man to Man | |
| "Man to Man" | 14 | – | – | 13 | 17 | – | – | – | |||
| "Heaven Is in the Back Seat of My Cadillac" | 25 | 32 | – | 28 | 19 | – | – | – | |||
| 1977 | "So You Win Again" | 1 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 31 |
|
Every 1's A Winner |
| "Put Your Love In Me" | 10 | 90 | 29 | 7 | 19 | 20 | – | – |
| ||
| 1978 | "Every 1's a Winner" | 12 | 12 | 29 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 |
| |
| "I'll Put You Together Again" | 13 | 12 | 20 | 15 | 8 | 14 | 31 | – | — | ||
| 1979 | "Mindless Boogie" | 46 | – | – | 48 | 21 | 46 | – | – | Going Through the Motions | |
| "Going Through the Motions" | 53 | – | – | 43 | – | 49 | 33 | 53 | |||
| 1980 | "No Doubt About It" | 2 | 56 | – | 3 | 2 | 9 | – | – |
|
— |
| "Are You Getting Enough of What Makes You Happy" | 17 | – | – | 25 | 15 | – | – | 65 | |||
| "Love Me to Sleep" | 50 | – | – | 42 | – | – | – | – | Class | ||
| 1981 | "Gotta Give Up Your Love" | – | – | 21 | – | – | 42 | – | – | ||
| "I'm Losing You"/"Children of Spacemen" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| "You'll Never Be So Wrong" | 52 | – | – | 73 | – | 15 | – | – | Mystery | ||
| 1982 | "Girl Crazy" | 7 | 9 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 4 | – | – | ||
| "It Started with a Kiss" | 5 | 15 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 2 | – |
| ||
| "Chances" | 32 | 85 | – | 42 | 8 | – | – | – | |||
| 1983 | "What Kinda Boy You're Lookin' For (Girl)" | 10 | – | 12 | 23 | 4 | 17 | – | – | — | |
| "Tears on the Telephone" | 37 | – | 6 | 21 | 22 | 18 | – | – | Love Shot | ||
| "I'm Sorry" | 89 | – | – | 57 | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1984 | "I Gave You My Heart (Didn't I)" | 13 | – | – | – | 12 | – | – | – | ||
| 1986 | "Heartache No. 9" | 76 | – | – | 52 | – | – | – | – | — | |
| 1987 | "You Sexy Thing (Ben Liebrand Remix)" | 10 | – | 20 | 5 | 8 | 56 | – | – | The Very Best Of Hot Chocolate | |
| "Every 1's a Winner (Groove Mix)" | 69 | – | – | – | – | 59 | – | – | 2001 | ||
| "No Doubt About It (Tequila-Mix)" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1988 | "Heaven Is in the Backseat of My Cadillac (D.D. Mix)" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Never Pretend" | – | – | – | 50 | – | – | – | – | — | ||
| "What About You" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| "Get It Right" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1993 | "It Started with a Kiss" (re-issue) | 31 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| "Kiss To Mean Goodbye" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | Strictly Dance | ||
| "Cry Little Girl" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | |||
| 1997 | "You Sexy Thing (Ben Liebrand Remix)" (re-issue) | 6 | – | – | – | 19 | – | – | – | — | |
| 1998 | "It Started with a Kiss" (second re-issue) | 18 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ||
Personnel
|
|
Timeline
References
- ↑ "ERROL BROWN: A Fondent Farewell". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
- ↑ "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. pp. 259/260. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ "ERROL BROWN: A Fondent Farewell". Bluesandsoul.com. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- 1 2 3 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.
- ↑ "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.com. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ↑ "Home". Hot Chocolate. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
- ↑ "Errol Brown, Hot Chocolate singer, dies aged 71 - BBC News". Bbc.com. Retrieved 2015-07-04.
- 1 2 3 "Hot Chocolate | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- 1 2 3 Hung, Steffen. "Discografie Hot Chocolate". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- 1 2 3 Hung, Steffen. "Discography Hot Chocolate". charts.org.nz. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- 1 2 "Hot Chocolate". AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
- ↑ "Hot Chocolate - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-04-07.
- ↑ "Discography Hot Chocolate". ultratop.be. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
- ↑ "Chartverfolgung / Hot Chocolate / Single". MusicLine.de. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
- ↑ "Search Hot Chocolate". Irish Charts-all there is to know. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved on 2011-10-19. Note: User needs to enter "Hot Chocolate" in the "Search" field, "Artist" in the "Search by" field and click the "Go" button. Select "More info" next to the relevant entry to see full certification history.
- 1 2 "Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2011-12-30. Note: User must define 'Artist' search parameter as "Hot Chocolate".
External links
- Errol Brown's site
- Hot Chocolate's site
- Errol Brown interview by Pete Lewis, Blues & Soul February 2009
- The Complete Apple Records
- Hot Chocolate on Discogs.com
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