Hot Chocolate star Tony Wilson dies aged 78
A founding member of 1970s band Hot Chocolate has passed away.Tony Wilson, the group's bassist and songwriter, died aged 78 in Trinidad, according to his daughter.His daughter shared the news on Facebook on Friday (24 April), writing: "Dad left us today, April 24th 2026. He left a lot of music behind...forever and ever."I am thankful that on Friday 17th during our conscious talk time he was led to the Lord with understanding. Some mornings later he asked for prayers. He said that he was leaving."The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace. That is the peace I also have. I give God thanks and praise. Look around....We carry nothing with us. We have to make our election sure. This is serious. The question remains, in the end, where will we spend eternity?"Prior to his death, Tony co-founded Hot Chocolate, which became the first predominantly Black British band to achieve chart success in the United States. He and Jamaican-born songwriter Errol Brown established the group in London in 1969, having met while living in flats across from one another. While Tony initially served as lead vocalist, Errol had assumed the role by the time they achieved breakthrough success in America.He co-wrote the band's 1975 single 'You Sexy Thing', which peaked at number three in America, and number two in Britain. It also reached the top 10 in the UK across three separate decades. The group enjoyed further success with tracks including 'Love Is Life', 'You Could Have Been A Lady', 'Emma' and 'Brother Louie', a song exploring an interracial relationship, reports the Mirror.Shortly after the release of 'You Sexy Thing', Tony departed the band to pursue a solo career, which proved less commercially successful. He released two albums, I Like Your Style and Catch One, though neither troubled the charts in America or the UK.Fans of Tony and Hot Chocolate were devastated upon learning of his passing. Responding to his daughter's post, one said: "Oh so sad..Tony Wilson was my # 1 artiste from the 70s. I played his music all the time on 45rpm Records, Cassettes and 8Track Tape Cartridges."Tony was an amazing vocalist as a solo performer and in the British Band Hot Chocolate.. 'You'll Always Be a Friend', 'I Know Why I Like Your Style', 'Forever Young and his version of 'Just When I Needed You Most' were my favourites. I still listen to his music to this day... I always say that Tony Wilson deserves the nation's highest national award...Condolences to his family and friends ..Rest in Eternal Peace."Another said: "May you build a ladder to the sky and climb on every rung and may you stay forever young! I wasn't even warm enough to say I love you cause if I tried I know you'd see right through me. I can give you only what you see!"This man was one of Trinidad's greatest celebrities along with folks like Carol Addison, The Hamilton Brothers, Jenny Pakeerah, Conrad Waldron and who he knew well Wildfire. He was a good one. May his soul rest in eternal peace."
