Tony Wilson, Hot Chocolate Founder and Co-Writer of “You Sexy Thing,” Passes Away
Tony Wilson, the Trinidad-born bassist, songwriter, and co-founder of the soul band Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 89. Wilson was known for co-writing soulful hits such as “You Sexy Thing” and “Emma” alongside frontman Errol Brown. These songs helped the band reach the top of the charts in the 1970s and established Hot Chocolate as the first predominantly black British group to achieve major chart success in America.
Career Highlights and Contributions
Wilson formed Hot Chocolate with Errol Brown in the late 1960s after playing in several bands including The Flames, The Souvenirs, and The Corduroys. The band gained early recognition in 1969 when John Lennon approved their reggae version of his song “Give Peace a Chance” and wanted to sign them to the Apple record label.
Hot Chocolate developed a unique sound blending soul, rock, reggae, and disco. Their debut single, “Love is Life,” reached number six in 1970. The band maintained a consistent presence on the charts with at least one hit every year until 1984, making them the first UK group to have a hit for 15 consecutive years.
Among their biggest hits, “Emma” became their first American success in 1975, followed by “You Sexy Thing,” which went platinum in the UK and spent several weeks in the US top 10. The latter song saw renewed popularity in 1997 after featuring in the film The Full Monty.
Later Life and Legacy
Wilson left Hot Chocolate soon after the success of “You Sexy Thing” to pursue a solo career. He released two albums, I Like Your Style (1976) and Catch One (1979), but neither achieved significant chart success. In 1983, he released the track “Hangin’ Out In Space,” which anticipated the electro-soul movement. After a 1988 compilation album, Sweet ‘N’ Soulful ā The Tony Wilson Story, he stopped releasing new music.
Wilsonās family confirmed his death on social media, sharing that he passed away at his home in Trinidad. His daughter wrote about his peaceful passing and his spiritual understanding in his final days. His son Danny reflected on the challenges Wilson faced in the music industry and his dedication to his craft, highlighting diaries from the early 1970s that documented his hard work.
Wilsonās bass guitar was restored on the BBC programme The Repair Shop in 2022, and his family continued to share updates about him, including a post celebrating his 88th birthday in 2024.
Wilson paid tribute to Errol Brown on Facebook after Brownās death in 2015, expressing gratitude for their collaboration. Following Wilsonās passing, tributes have poured in on social media, honoring his contributions to music and his legacy.
No cause of death has been disclosed.