Errol Brown, singer of heralded ’70s and ’80s British funk band Hot Chocolate, has died at the age of 71.
According to the BBC, Brown’s manager Phil Dale told the press the singer was suffering from liver cancer,
and died at his home in the Bahamas.
Among Hot Chocolate’s more than 50 global hits are a treasure trove of the funk classics, including 1975’s “You Sexy Thing,” 1982’s “It Started With A Kiss,” and 1978’s “Every 1’s A Winner.” Listen to all three below.
From the BBC: “Brown was made an MBE by the Queen in 2003 and received an Ivor Novello award for his outstanding contribution to British music in 2004. Brown co-wrote “You Sexy Thing,” Hot Chocolate’s best-known hit and a top 10 single in the 1970s and ’80s…. it charted again in the UK when it was featured in The Full Monty in 1997.
“You Sexy Thing” also soundtracked the pool party scene in 1997 film Boogie Nights.
We had some good times back in the day. #ErrolBrown RIP https://t.co/VmsdRzEoko
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) May 6, 2015
Here is the statement from Dale:
“Errol Brown MBE passed away in The Bahamas this morning with his wife Ginette and daughters Colette and Leonie by his side of liver cancer.”
“Errol was a lover of life and obviously ‘music!’ I never went into his home, car or a hotel room without music playing.”
“Errol was a ‘Gentle Man’ and was a personal friend of mine who will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.”
“His greatest legacy is that his music will live on!”
Pour one out with some of Brown’s biggest hits below…