Hot Chocolate formed in Brixton, London, England. Members of the group around Errol Brown included Tony Connor, Larry Ferguson, Harvey Hinsley, Derek Lewis, Pat Olive and Tony Wilson. In 1969 while demoing a slight reggae version of the John Lennon song "Give Peace A Chance" with a group of friends, Errol Brown changed the lyrics of the number but he was informed that he could not change Lennon's song without his permission! So a copy of the demo was sent to the Beatles record label, 'Apple', with fingers crossed. John Lennon loved the version and it was released on the 'Apple' label. Errol and his friends were given the name, 'The Hot Chocolate Band', a name thought up by a secretary at the company but which the band later changed to 'Hot Chocolate'. Towards the end of 1969 Mickie Most signed Errol and the cofounder of the group, Tony Wilson as writers and recorded their songs with Mary Hopkins, Julie Felix and Herman's Hermits before encouraging them to come up with a song for themselves. In 1970 'Hot Chocolate', with Errol Brown as lead singer released their first record entitled, "Love Is Life" which reached number 6 in the charts. This was the start of a fifteen year career for the group who amassed a total of over 30 hits and also became the only group in the UK to have a hit for fifteen consecutive years. Brown's bald headed charismatic image and unique voice being the central focus of the group along with a great song writing talent that saw him pen such pop classics as, "It Started With A Kiss

Members

• Errol Brown
• Tony Wilson
• Tony Connor
• Patrick Olive
• Harvey Hinsley
• Larry Ferguson
• Derek Lewis
• Greg Bannis

• errolbrown.com
• hot-chocolate.co.uk
• en.wikipedia.org