Errol Brown

Lester Errol Brown MBE(Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) (12 November 1943 – 6 May 2015) was a British-Jamaican singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman of soul band Hot Chocolate. Hot Chocolate's hits included "You Sexy Thing", "Emma", "So You Win Again" and "Brother Louie".

Career

Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but moved to the UK when he was twelve years old. His break in music came in 1969 when he recorded a version of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance", with some friends. Unable to change the lyrics without Lennon's permission he sent a copy to his record label, Apple, and the song was released with Lennon's approval.

The Hot Chocolate albums were produced by Mickie Most and recorded at theRAK Records studio. Brown had a solo career since the 1980s, and achieved music success in the clubs with the 1987 single "Body Rocking", produced byRichard James Burgess.

Brown was a supporter of the Conservative Party, and performed at a party conference in the 1980s. In 1981, he performed at the wedding reception following the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, at Buckingham Palace.

Brown owned National Hunt horses, including Gainsay.

Recognition

In 2003, Brown was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to popular music for the United Kingdom. In 2004 he received an Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contributions to British music.

Death

Brown died of liver cancer at his home in the Bahamas on 6 May 2015. He is survived by his wife Ginette and two daughters, Colette and Leonie.

Discography

For Hot Chocolate's discography, see Hot Chocolate (band).   Solo singles

• 1987 "Personal Touch" – WEA YZ 130 (UK No.25)
• 1987 "Body Rocking" – WEA YZ 162 (UK No.51)
• 1988 "Maya" – WEA YZ 313
• 1989 "Love Goes Up and Down" (UK No.89)
• 1990 "Send a Prayer (To Heaven)" (UK No.83)
• 1992 "This Time It's Forever" – East West 4509-90064 (Germany No.26)
• 1992 "Secret Rendezvous" – East West 4509-90913
• 1993 "Emmalene (That's No Lie)" – East West 4509-92322
• 1996 "Ain't No Love in This" – East West 0630-13951
• 1996 "Change the People's Hearts" – East West 0630-16898
• 1998 "It Started With A Kiss" – EMI CDHOT 101 (UK No.18) 
• 2001 "Still Sexy (Yes U Are)" – Universal 158940 (UK No.85) 
• 2001 "Heaven's In the Back Seat of My Cadillac"
• 2002 "I Love You Everyday" – Universal 0157592

1 – Credited to Hot Chocolate featuring Errol Brown

Albums

• 1989 That's How Love Is – WEA 243 925
• 1992 Secret Rendezvous – East West 4509-90688
• 1996 Love In This – East West 0630-15260
• 2001 Still Sexy — The Album – Universal Music TV 138162 (UK No.44)

See also

• List of lead vocalists