Errol Brown, Hot Chocolate Frontman, Dead at 71

Errol Brown, the lead singer of the ‘70s group Hot Chocolate, has passed away after a long bout with liver cancer. He was 71.

Brown’s manager, Phil Dale, informed the BBC that the singer died on Wednesday (May 6) at his home in the Bahamas surrounded by his family.

"Errol Brown MBE passed away in The Bahamas this morning with his wife Ginette and daughters Colette and Leonie by his side,” he said. "Errol was a lover of life and obviously 'music!’

“[He] was a ‘Gentle Man' and was a personal friend of mine who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him," he continued. “His greatest legacy is that his music will live on!"

Hot Chocolate was a British soul band that was formed by Errol Brown and Tony Wilson in 1970. The group garnered major commercial success during the disco era with a string of hits in the mid-70s.

Among Hot Chocolate’s classic songs are “You Sexy Thing,” Every 1’s a Winner,” “So You Win Again” and “Disco Queen.”

The band’s songs have also been sampled in hip-hop as well by such artists as Del tha Funky Homosapien, Insane Clown Posse and the late producer/rapper Tony D.

In 1985, Brown left the group to spend more time with his family, but returned to the stage in the 1990s with two solo U.K. tours. In 2009, he went on a farewell tour to thank the fans for their support.

"I'm getting a little older now, you know," he said at the time. "It's hard to pack the suitcase and get back on the road again. But the music will be there, so that won't go away."

Rest in peace, Errol Brown.

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