Errol Brown, lead singer of Hot Chocolate has died, aged 71.

This is particularly sad news for the Record Press author. I attribute much of my life-long love of soul music to Errol Brown and Hot Chocolate. In fact Hot Chocolate’s Greatest Hits was the second vinyl album I bought in 1977 – for the record ( if you will pardon the pun ) the first was The Stylistics Greatest Hits. Both groups and albums had a lasting influence on me.

My introduction to Hot Chocolate was their 1974 UK Top 3 hit Emma, which is still my favourite Hot Chocolate song to this day. In fact I recall Errol Brown saying in an interview that it was his favourite song too. I only heard Emma the other day and remarked to myself just how prolific a songwriter he was – Hot Chocolate had hits spanning nearly 30 years, starting with Love Is Life reaching No 6 in 1970 and finishing with a remix of You Sexy Thing, also peaking at No6 with beautiful symmetry in 1997 ( on the back of its inclusion on the soundtrack of the film “The Full Monty” ).

Hot Chocolate were initially signed to the Beatles’ Apple label  in 1969, after John Lennon heard their reggae version of Give Peace a Chance and liked it.  However the hits started flowing when Hot Chocolate joined forces with the producer Mickie Most at RAK Records in 1970: the group had at least one hit every year between 1970 and 1984, making Hot Chocolate the only group in the UK to have a hit for 15 consecutive years. For all Hot Chocolate’s  chart success, the group’s only UK No1 was 1977’s So You Win Again, although You Sexy Thing and No Doubt About It narrowly missed the No1 spot, reaching No2. Hot Chocolate were just as popular abroad with hits in more than 50 countries worldwide.

After Hot Chocolate split in 1986, Errol Brown began a solo career that sadly never matched the success of the band. However, he was recognised for his career in music, being awarded the MBE in 2003 and an Ivor Novello award for his contribution to music in 2004. This music industry recognition was richly deserved as not only was Errol Brown an incredibly prolific, accomplished songwriter but also a charismatic frontman and vocalist. What I will remember best along with the music was Errol Brown’s warm, radiant smile that so perfectly complemented that rich, velvety, brown voice.

Bless you Errol Brown – may you rest in peace, whilst we remember your fantastic musical contribution with this Record Press Top 10 Best Hot Chocolate Songs –

Top 10 Best Hot Chocolate Songs

1)      Emma ( No3 1974 )

2)      Brother Louie ( No7 1973 )

3)      You Sexy Thing ( No2 1975 )

4)      It Started With A Kiss ( No5 1982 )

5)      I’ll Put You Together Again ( No13 1978 )

6)      Disco Queen ( No11 1975 )

7)      So You Win Again ( No1 1977 )

8)      Put Your Love in Me ( No10 1977 )

9)      Man To Man ( No14 1976 )

10)  A Child’s Prayer ( No7 1975 )

Which is your favourite Hot Chocolate song and why? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your love of Errol Brown & Hot Chocolate in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Hot Chocolate song in a vinyl single or CD single format; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl singles and framed CDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!  ORDER NOW…….. www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/