Founded in 1970, the group laid the foundation for sophisticated dance music and an impressive career. 34 singles and 10 LPs from HOT CHOCOLATE were released in 40 countries.
HOT CHOCOLATE is not just another pop group. They were a permanent guest on the international charts for over three decades and have become a classic whose songs are still popular today. The founding members Tony Connor (drums), Patrick Olive (bass, percussion) and Harvey Hinsley (guitar, sax, flute) have now gathered young musicians around them. It quickly becomes clear to every listener why Tony and Patrick chose exactly these musicians from hundreds of applicants. A convincing live show speaks for itself.
HOT CHOCOLATE is and remains hot chocolate, a unique mixture of attractive musical ideas, a rousing live show and a series of hits that make it an exception on the international music scene. You don’t need to be a prophet to predict that every performance by the band will be an unforgettable experience and that no one can escape the magic of this music
HOT CHOCOLATE IN DATES:
“Love is Life” (1970) was followed by “I Believe (In Love)” (1971), “Brother Louie” (1973), “Emma” (1974), “Disco Queen”, “A Child’s Prayer” and “You “Sexy Thing” (1975). In the mid-seventies, HOT CHOCOLATE had reached the peak of their career, selling out concert halls and with the album “Hot Chocolate”, the band, which had primarily gained fame through singles, also achieved chart honors with a long player. In 1976, HOT CHOCOLATE took stock with the album “14 Greatest Hits”, which 500,000 buyers on the island alone wanted to see for themselves. The big worldwide breakthrough came on July 2, 1977 with the number 1 hit “So You Win Again”, written by Russ Ballard.
The motto for 1978 was “Every 1’s A Winner”. Not only a top European hit, but also a million-seller in the USA. It is considered one of the best songs the band ever recorded. The songs from that period between the mid and late seventies are still a source of inspiration for many other musicians today. Cover versions of “Brother Louie” (Ian Lloyd & The Stories), “Emma” (Sisters Of Mercy, Urge Overkill) and “Every 1’s A Winner” in particular had the boomerang effect: new generations kept discovering the unrivaled quality the originals back.
In the 1970s there were only three acts who had hits in the UK charts every year: Elvis Presley, Diana Ross and HOT CHOCOLATE. 14 singles from HOT CHOCOLATE reached the charts, 8 of which reached the top 10.
With the 70s hits, HOT CHOCOLATE received status as “Most Successful European Band” and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as “Most Chart Topping Band”. For this actually more than “wild” time of the 70s, it is very surprising that HOT CHOCOLATE’s success came without any scandals, affairs, etc. (the band was probably too busy).
The 80s, how could it be otherwise with HOT CHOCOLATE, began with a huge hit. 1980’s “No Doubt About It” followed by chart breakers like “What Kind A Boy (You’re Looking for Girl)”, “Turn On The Telephone”, “Are Your Getting Enough Of What Makes You Happy”, “Love Me To Sleep”. “, “You’ll Never Be So Wrong”, “Girl Crazy”, “Chances”, “I Gave You My Heart (Didn’t I)” and “It Started With A Kiss”. The success of the 70s was repeated.
Gold and platinum awards followed again. Over the course of 16 years (1970-1986), HOT CHOCOLATE had a total of 36 hits in more than 40 countries around the world and at least one top 10 hit in each country. Bill Harry wrote:
“In British recording history, HOT CHOCOLATE remain a one off… a band who have made their work with a remarkable canon of recorded material, including a number of pop classics”.
1.) Hot Chocolate: THE superstars of the disco era of the mid-70s
2.) 36 singles and 10 LPs from Hot Chocolate found their way into the international charts in 40 countries.
3.) Hot Chocolate had 25 top 10 hits…e.g. Brother Louie, Emma, You Sexy Thing, Heaven Is In The Back Seat Of My Cadillac, So You Win Again, Every 1’s A Winner, No Doubt About It, It Started With A Kiss and others
4.) Alongside Elvis Presley and Diana Ross, Hot Chocolate is the only act to have a hit every year in the UK in the 70s
5.) With the 70s hits, Hot Chocolate received status as “Most Successful European Band” and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as “Most Chart Topping Band”.
6.) You sexy thing by Hot Chocolate was the only hit to reach the UK top ten in three different decades (70s, 80s, 90s)
7.) Many of Hot Chocolate’s hits were used as film music, e.g. The Full Monty, Boogie Nights and others.
8.) Hot Chocolate played at the wedding reception of Charles and Diana’s fairytale wedding of the century
9.) Hot Chocolate receives the Radio Hamburg Award 2003 in Hamburg
10.) Hot Chocolate receives the Radio Regenbogen Award 2005 in Karlsruhe
