Harvey and the Sisters of Mercy all added Hot Chocolate songs to their live sets, and Cud's cover of "You Sexy Thing" featured in John Peel's Festive 50. Errol Brown and Larry Ferguson departed the band in 1986; ultimately leading the group to disband. Brown then began a solo career. Two of his singles made the UK Singles Chart – "Personal Touch" and "Body Rockin'". Hot Chocolate had a hit in 1988 in Germany. "Never Pretend" was written by Harvey Hinsley and Susan Stuttard, and the vocalist was Grant Evelyn. The band's enduring popularity was verified when two compilation albums both reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart (see below). In 2003, Errol Brown received the MBE; and in 2004, the Ivor Novello Award for his contribution to British music. In 1992 the band reformed with new vocalist Greg Bannis and keyboardists Steve Ansell, Andy Smith, Willy Dowling, and Steve Matthews (the latter two of whom departed the band in 1994), and manager and agent Ric Martin took control over the band's bookings and live appearances. Kennie Simon took over lead vocals in 2010 following the departure of Bannis and Hot Chocolate continue to make live appearances in the UK and Europe. On 6 May 2015, original frontman and principal songwriter Errol Brown died from liver cancer. He was 71. Personnel Members Current members Patrick Olive – percussion (1968–1984, 1988, 1992–present), bass (1975–1984, 1988, 1992–present) Tony Connor – drums, percussion (1970–1986, 1988, 1992–present) Harvey Hinsley – guitars (1970–1986, 1988, 1992–present) Steve Ansell – keyboards, guitars (1994–present) Andy Smith – keyboards (1994–present) Kennie Simon – lead vocals, keyboards (2010–present) Former members Errol Brown – lead vocals (1968–1986) Tony Wilson – bass, lead vocals (1968–1975) Franklyn De Allie – guitars (1968–1970) Jim King – drums, percussion (1968–1970) Larry Ferguson – keyboards (1969–1986) Derek Lewis – percussion, backing vocals (1975) Brian Satterwhite – bass, backing vocals (1975) Rick Green - keyboards (1975) Chris Cameron - keyboards, backing vocals (1982–1985) Grant Evelyn – lead vocals (1988) Greg Bannis – lead vocals (1992–2010) Willy Dowling – keyboards, backing vocals (1992–1994) Steve Matthews – keyboards, backing vocals (1992–1994) Line-ups Timeline Discography Studio Albums All albums released by Rak Records unless otherwise noted. Cicero Park (1974) Hot Chocolate (1975) Man to Man (1976) Every 1's a Winner (1978) Going Through the Motions (1979) Class (1980) Mystery (1982) Love Shot (1983) Strictly Dance (1993, Polydor) References External