Tony Wilson, the bassist and co-founder of Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 89 at his home in Trinidad, his family confirmed. They said he co-wrote hits like 'You Sexy Thing' and 'Emma' with lead singer Errol Brown. According to the BBC, Hot Chocolate got their break in 1969 after sending a reggae version of John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance' to him, and Lennon approved and signed them to the Apple record label.
The group was the first predominantly black British group to achieve major US chart success, according to the BBC. According to the Official Charts Company, the band had a hit every year from 1970 to 1984, a record for a UK group. 'You Sexy Thing', released in 1975, went platinum in the UK, according to the Official Charts Company, and spent weeks in the US top 10, according to Billboard.
Amazingly, a week later I got a call to say John Lennon approved it and wanted to sign the band to the Apple record label. And that's how we began.
The song charted again in 1997 after featuring in The Full Monty, according to chart records. Wilson left the band soon after 'You Sexy Thing' to pursue a solo career, according to his family. The cause of his death was not disclosed.