Hot Chocolate co-founder and 'You Sexy Thing' co-writer Tony Wilson has died

28 April 2026, 12:12

Tony Wilson founded Hot Chocolate with Errol Brown way back in 1968.

Bassist, songwriter and co-founder of Hot Chocolate Tony Wilson has died.

The musician formed the funk legends with Errol Brown back in 1968 and was a key member of the group until his departure in 1975.

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The Trinidadian musician died in his home country on Friday (April 24), with the news being confirmed by his daughter on his Facebook page

"Dad left us today, April 24th 2026," she wrote. "He left a lot of music behind...forever and ever."

She added: "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."

Tony's son Danny also paid tribute to his father with a post on Facebook.

"It's been an emotional weekend," Danny said. There has been some uncertainty about his father's age, with some sources saying he was born in 1947, making him 78 at the time of his death, but Danny confirmed that his father was 89.

"On Friday, my dad, the one and only Tony Wilson passed away, aged 89, at his home in Trinidad."

He added: "Words don't do justice to the admiration I have for him as a human being or for his dedication to make his dream of getting the songs he wrote be heard.

"It wasn't until my mum dug out some old diaries of his from 1970 and '71 that I realised just how hard he had to work to achieve this dream. Trust me, it is truly staggering."

You Sexy Thing (Single Version)

Wilson was a co-writer of many of Hot Chocolate's biggest hits, including 'Love Is Life', 'Brother Louie', 'Emma', and 'You Sexy Thing'.

After he left the group he launched a solo career with the albums I Like Your Style and Catch One.

He also went on to write the track 'Everyone Can Rock and Roll' for Bill Haley.