Hot Chocolate Founder Tony Wilson, Who Co-Wrote You Sexy Thing, Dies Aged 89
Wilson co-wrote Hot Chocolate’s 1975 hit “You Sexy Thing,” which reached No. 3 in the United States and No. 2 in Britain.
- Tony Wilson, the bassist and songwriter who co-wrote the iconic 1975 hit 'You Sexy Thing,' died at age 78 in Trinidad on Friday, April 24, 2026, according to his daughter's Facebook announcement.
- In 1969, Wilson co-founded the British band Hot Chocolate in London alongside Jamaican-born songwriter Errol Brown, becoming the first predominantly Black British band to achieve significant chart success in the United States.
- The global hit 'You Sexy Thing' peaked at #3 in America and #2 in Britain, while the band also achieved success with tracks including 'Love Is Life,' 'Emma,' and 'Brother Louie,' a song about interracial love.
- Following 'You Sexy Thing's release, Wilson departed for a solo career that failed to replicate his earlier commercial success; fans expressed devastation, with one calling him their "#1 artiste from the 70s."
- Ambitious soundscapes within Wilson's work foreshadowed electronic dance music that would reshape global pop, cementing his legacy as a key 1970s figure whose influence fans continue to recognize by listening to his music today.
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Tony Wilson, Hot Chocolate founder and 'You Sexy Thing' cowriter, dies at 89
The musician's family revealed that he passed away on Friday in Trinidad.Hot Chocolate musician Tony WilsonCredit: Echoes/RedfernsKey PointsSoul musician Tony Wilson died on Friday.Wilson was a founder of Hot Chocolate and co-writer of "You Sexy Thing."Hot Chocolate's hit song was memorably used in Boogie Nights and The Full Monty.Tony Wilson, Hot Chocolate founder and "You Sexy Thing" co-writer, has died. He was 89.Wilson's family announced on …
Co-founder of legendary 70s band, who helped create iconic hit dies at 89
Tony Wilson, the bassist and co-founder of British soul group Hot Chocolate, who helped pen the enduring hit “You Sexy Thing,” has died at his home in Trinidad, PEOPLE reports. He was 89.
The soul music mourns for an icon: Tony Wilson (1936-2026), co-founder and bassist of the legendary band Hot Chocolate, is dead. The musician, who wrote the world hit "You Sexy Thing" together with Errol Brown (1943-2015), died on April 24 at the age of 89 in his home on Trinidad. Among other things, this was confirmed by his son Danny Wilson on Facebook. A cause of death is not mentioned in the post."Dad left us today. He left a lot of music...…
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