Hot Chocolate singer Tony Wilson, best known for the hit song You Sexy Thing, has died aged 78.
The bassist and co-founder of the beloved 1970s British soul band died in his native Trinidad on Friday, his family confirmed.
Wilson’s son Danny revealed Wilson kept “staggering” secret diaries that detailed his and lead singer Errol Brown’s struggle to form Hot Chocolate in 1969 in the “cut throat” music industry.
“It’s been an emotional weekend. On Friday, my dad, the one and only TONY Wilson Musician passed away, aged 89, at his home in Trinidad,” he said.
“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.”
Danny went on: “Trust me, it is truly staggering. The knock backs, the interviews, the touring, the radio shows, the meticulous documenting of record sales.
“All the pressures of what was a cut throat music industry in the 70s. It’s all in those diaries.
“I had the privilege of sitting down with him and going through those diaries with him on my trip to Trinidad with my family last year, and I will hold that memory dear for the rest of my days.”
Hot Chocolate became the first predominantly Black British band to find success in the US charts.
They were best known for their 1975 hit You Sexy Thing, as well as Everyone’s A Winner and Cheri Babe.
Wilson’s daughter also shared an emotional statement to her father, recalling his final moments.
“Dad left us today, April 24th 2026. He left a lot of music behind…forever and ever,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I am thankful that on Friday 17th during our conscious talk time he was led to the Lord with understanding.
“Some mornings later he asked for prayers. He said that he was leaving.
“The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace.”
Wilson’s cause of death is not yet known.
The musician left Hot Chocolate in 1975 to pursue a solo career and released two albums - I Like Your Style and Catch One.
He had already debuted as a solo act in 1964 before co-founding Hot Chocolate, writing several songs that made it onto UK charts.
He penned songs for Herman’s Hermits, Mary Hopkins, and Mavin John among others.
