Errol Brown

Errol Ainsworth Glenstor Brown MBE (born Lester Errol Brown; 12 November 1943 – 6 May 2015) was a British-Jamaican singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman of the soul and funk band Hot Chocolate. In 2004, Brown received the Ivor Novello Award for his Outstanding Contribution to British Music.

Career

Hot Chocolate His break in music came in 1969 when he recorded a version of John Lennon's "Give Peace a Chance" with a band called "Hot Chocolate Band". Unable to change the lyrics without Lennon's permission, he sent a copy to The Beatles' record label, Apple, and the song was released with Lennon's approval.

The Hot Chocolate albums were produced by Mickie Most and recorded at the Rak Records studio. Most of their songs were written by Brown and Hot Chocolate bassist Tony Wilson (before Wilson's departure in 1975), including "Love Is Life", "You Could Have Been a Lady", "Brother Louie", "Emma", and "You Sexy Thing". The band had at least one charting song on the UK singles chart every year from 1970 to 1984. He soon went on to have a solo career, achieving success in the clubs with the 1987 single "Body Rocking", produced by Richard James Burgess.

He was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1997 when he was surprised by Michael Aspel on his birthday.

Brown was a supporter of the Conservative Party and performed at the party's conference in 1984.

Brown retired from performing after a farewell tour in 2009.

Recognition

In 2003, Queen Elizabeth II named Brown a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for "services to popular music for the United Kingdom". In 2004, he received an Ivor Novello Award for outstanding contributions to British music.

Personal life and death Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on 12 November 1943, but moved to the Streatham district of south London when he was 11 years old. After leaving school, he worked as a clerk.

Brown, known for his signature bald head, first adopted the look after he was encouraged by friends to shave all his hair off as a joke. He liked the way it looked, and remained with a shaven head for the rest of his life.

Discography

Hot Chocolate

"Give Peace a Chance" (1969) "Love Is Life" (1970) "You Could Have Been a Lady" (1971) "Brother Louie" (1973) "Emma" (1974) "You Sexy Thing" (1975) "I'll Put You Together Again" (1976) "So You Win Again" (1977) "Every 1's a Winner" (1978) "No Doubt About It" (1980) "It Started with a Kiss" (1982) "I Gave You My Heart" (1983)

Solo 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) 1987: "Body Rocking" – WEA YZ 162 (UK No. 51)