Errol Brown was basically the cool uncle of British soul. If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, his voice was just... there. It was everywhere. You couldn't escape "You Sexy Thing" if you tried, and honestly, why would you want to? But when people talk about the hot chocolate group members, they usually just think of Errol’s iconic bald head and that smooth-as-butter delivery. There was a whole machine behind him, though. A group of guys who managed to navigate the transition from reggae-influenced covers to global disco-pop superstardom without losing their street cred in the UK.
It started in Brixton. That’s important. Hot Chocolate wasn't some manufactured boy band put together by a label executive in a glass office. They were a product of the late 60s London melting pot.
The Foundation and the Apple Records Fluke
The core of the group—the DNA of it, really—was the songwriting partnership between Errol Brown and Tony Wilson. This wasn't some instant success story. They were grinding. Most people don't realize that the very first iteration of the group actually got their "big break" because of a reggae version of a John Lennon song. They did a cover of "Give Peace a Chance."
Now, usually, if you cover a Beatle without asking, you get a cease and desist. Instead, they sent the demo to Apple Records. Lennon loved it. He actually liked the vibe so much that he cleared it for release on Apple. That’s a hell of a way to start a career.
At that point, the hot chocolate group members weren't the polished disco kings we know today. They were still finding their feet. Along with Brown and Wilson, the early lineup included Ian King on drums, Franklyn De Allie on guitar, and Jim Abbott on keys. It was a raw, percussion-heavy sound. But the industry is fickle. The Apple deal didn't lead to a long-term home, and they eventually landed at Mickie Most’s RAK Records. That’s when the "Hot Chocolate" we recognize really began to crystallize.
The Classic Lineup: More Than Just Errol
By the time "Love is Life" hit the charts in 1970, the lineup was shifting. It’s the mid-70s era that most fans point to as the "definitive" version of the band. You had Errol on lead vocals, obviously. Tony Wilson was holding down the bass and sharing songwriting duties. Then you had Harvey Hinsley on guitar.
Harvey is the unsung hero here.
If you listen to the riff on "Every 1’s a Winner," that’s Hinsley. He used a specialized fuzz box and a unique technique to get that crunchy, almost rock-leaning tone that made the track stand out from the "softer" disco songs of 1978. It’s gritty. It’s dirty. It’s the reason that song still gets sampled by hip-hop producers today.
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Then there was Patrick Olive. He started on percussion—congas and the like—but eventually took over bass duties when Tony Wilson left the group in 1975 to pursue a solo career. Olive’s transition was seamless. He kept that deep, rhythmic pocket that allowed Errol to dance around the melody. Rounding out that classic era were Tony Connor on drums and Derek Lewis on keys.
Why Tony Wilson’s Departure Mattered
When Tony Wilson left, a lot of people thought the band would fold. He wasn't just "the bass player." He was the co-architect of their sound. He wrote "I Believe (In Love)" and co-wrote many of their early hits. His departure forced Errol Brown into the primary spotlight as the sole visionary.
Brown rose to the occasion, but the dynamic changed. The music became more focused on Errol’s persona. He became the "character" of Hot Chocolate. The silk shirts, the charismatic smile, the lyrics that walked the fine line between romantic and suggestive.
The hot chocolate group members who stayed—Hinsley, Olive, and Connor—became a tight-knit unit. They were reliable. In an era where bands were breaking up every Tuesday over "creative differences" (which is usually code for "we hate each other"), Hot Chocolate stayed remarkably consistent for over a decade. They are one of the few acts to have a hit in every single year of the 1970s in the UK. Think about that. Every. Single. Year.
The 1980s and the End of an Era
As the 80s rolled in, the sound shifted again. Synthesizers started creeping in. Tracks like "It Started With a Kiss" showed a more melodic, almost pop-ballad side of the band. But the strain of constant touring and the changing musical landscape eventually wore on Brown.
In 1986, Errol Brown decided he’d had enough. He wanted to spend more time with his family and explore a solo path. When the lead singer leaves, especially a singer as distinctive as Errol, it’s usually the death knell.
The band did split for a while.
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However, the brand of Hot Chocolate was too strong to stay dormant. In 1992, the band reformed. But here’s the kicker: Errol wasn't part of it. This is where casual fans get confused. If you see Hot Chocolate performing today, or in the last twenty years, you’re seeing a different version of the hot chocolate group members.
The New Era: Greg Bannis and Kennie Simon
When the band decided to get back on the road in the 90s, they recruited Greg Bannis. Greg had the impossible task of filling Errol’s shoes. Surprisingly, he did it well. He didn't try to be Errol. He brought his own energy to the stage, and the fans accepted him. He stayed with the group until 2010.
After Greg left, Kennie Simon took over the mantle.
Kennie is still the lead singer today. If you go to a festival in the UK or Europe and see Hot Chocolate on the bill, Kennie is the man at the front. He’s got the range, he’s got the soul, and he treats the legacy with a lot of respect. Joining him are original members like Patrick Olive, Ian King, and Harvey Hinsley (though the lineup for live shows can occasionally vary depending on the tour).
The Real Legacy of the Members
What’s wild is how many people overlook the technical skill of these guys. Hot Chocolate is often lumped into "disco" or "easy listening," but they were essentially a masterclass in tight, economical playing.
Tony Connor’s drumming wasn't flashy. It didn't need to be. It was the heartbeat.
Patrick Olive’s percussion added that Caribbean flair that reminded everyone of the band’s roots in the London immigrant community.
They dealt with a lot of stuff behind the scenes, too. Being a multiracial band in the 70s wasn't always easy, even in the UK. They faced the typical industry prejudices, but they stayed focused on the "feel-good" aspect of the music. Errol Brown once said in an interview that he just wanted to make people happy. It sounds cliché, but when you look at their discography, it’s the truth.
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Correcting the Record: Common Misconceptions
There are a few things people consistently get wrong about the hot chocolate group members:
- They weren't an American band. Because they had such a "Motown" or "Philly Soul" polished sound, many people in the States assumed they were from Detroit or Philadelphia. Nope. Pure British soul through and through.
- Errol Brown didn't write everything alone. In the early days, Tony Wilson was just as vital to the writing process. Later on, the production of Mickie Most played a massive role in their "radio-ready" sound.
- They weren't just a "singles" band. While they dominated the charts, their albums like Cicero Park (1974) explored much darker themes—poverty, racism, and social struggle. "You Sexy Thing" was actually a B-side originally. Imagine that. One of the most famous songs in history almost didn't make it to the A-side.
Exploring the Cicero Park Depth
If you want to understand the true range of the hot chocolate group members, you have to listen to Cicero Park. It’s a far cry from the wedding-disco staples. The title track is a gritty look at urban life. It shows that the band had a social conscience.
The musicianship on that record is incredibly nuanced. Harvey Hinsley’s guitar work is atmospheric. It’s not just about the "hook." It’s about building a mood. This is the version of the band that critics often ignore because they’re too busy focusing on the glitter of the disco era.
Why They Still Matter in 2026
The music of Hot Chocolate hasn't aged the way some 70s pop has. Why? Because the grooves are fundamental. You can't fake the pocket that Patrick Olive and Tony Connor created.
Today, the surviving members continue to carry the torch. While we lost Errol Brown in 2015 to liver cancer—a massive blow to the music world—the "Hot Chocolate" name lives on. It’s a testament to the strength of the songs and the foundation laid by those original members in Brixton all those years ago.
How to Truly Appreciate the Hot Chocolate Discography
If you're looking to dive deeper into the work of these musicians beyond the Greatest Hits, here's how to do it properly.
- Listen to the Cicero Park album in full. Skip the singles and listen to the album tracks to hear their experimental side.
- Watch 1970s live footage. Look for the performances on Top of the Pops or The Old Grey Whistle Test. Pay attention to the interaction between Harvey Hinsley and Patrick Olive; that’s where the magic is.
- Track the basslines. If you're a musician, try to chart the difference between Tony Wilson's early melodic lines and Patrick Olive's more rhythmic, percussive approach in the late 70s.
- Research the RAK Records era. Understand the influence of producer Mickie Most. He was a taskmaster who forced the band to trim the fat from their songs, which is why their hits are so incredibly "tight."
The story of the hot chocolate group members is one of resilience. They survived lineup changes, shifts in musical fashion, and the loss of their iconic frontman. They remain a vital part of the British musical fabric because they understood one thing: a good groove is timeless.
To get the most out of their legacy, start by exploring their mid-70s deep cuts like "A Child's Prayer" or "Put Your Love in Me." These tracks showcase the vocal nuances and the sophisticated arrangements that the band was capable of, proving they were much more than just a disco act. Focus on the production quality and the way they layered percussion—it’s a blueprint for modern pop-soul production.