Hot Chocolate lead singer Errol Brown has died aged 71

R.I.P. - loved their songs on the radio in the 70s.

Link.

Errol also wrote this #1 hit from 1973.

My most annoying ringtone was the first six notes of You Sexy Thing. RIP, dude.

Errol made Black British cool long before it became widespread, the only cool Black musicians at that time were Americans, Errol really did inspire Black Britons that they could become stars or do anything they set their hearts to doing.

“You Sexy Thing” was a hit when I was around 11 years old. Seeing them perform on some TV show, and hearing Errol & the rest of the band talk afterwards, was the first time I’d ever seen or heard black people from England – up until then, I didn’t realize that there was such a thing, and it took my young brain a bit to understand that.

They did some great songs, and I have “You Sexy Thing” and “Every 1’s a Winner” on my iPhone.

Actually, my favorite Hot Chocolate song was a downbeat one. A song that made a much younger Astorian cry.

[quote=“astorian, post:6, topic:719392”]

Actually, my favorite Hot Chocolate song was a downbeat one. A song that made a much younger Astorian cry.

[/QUOTE]

Yeah, Emma is a great and obviously very dark song. The Sisters of Mercy used to do a really epic overblown goth cover of it:

RIP, we named our daughter, Emmaline, after the song. Actually Urge Overkill’s cover.
Didn’t know Sisters of Mercy had a cover as well.

RIP, “You Sexy Thing” is a great song!

Not me but I have heard some people attribute that song to David Bowie!

[quote=“astorian, post:6, topic:719392”]

Actually, my favorite Hot Chocolate song was a downbeat one. A song that made a much younger Astorian cry.

[/QUOTE]

“When she said she’d be a movie star, you know nobody laughed.” One of my favorite lines from any song ever. And the “love letter” she leaves on the bedroom floor is just heartbreaking. That’s a great song.

The hooks in Hot Chocolate’s biggest hits are so cool.

[quote=“Baron_Greenback, post:7, topic:719392”]

Yeah, Emma is a great and obviously very dark song. The Sisters of Mercy used to do a really epic overblown goth cover of it:

[/QUOTE]

Love that song, especially the SoM cover. Eldritch really nails the wail of her name at the end.

I was really surprised when I read that he had a wife and two children. I think I have to adjust my gaydar. But yes, Hot Chocolate were a small part of my childhood, somehow they were always present on the radio in the late seventies/early eighties.

I LOVE that song. The letter makes me sniff like a baby. One thing, tho…the video on YT is so hilariously overblown. Doesn’t even really distract from the song, but…overblown.

ETA: Of course, the singer murdered her…all of his lies about getting her on the silver screen…why didn’t he just strangle her.