This highly commercial UK pop act was formed in Brixton, London, by percussionist Patrick Olive (22 March 1947, Grenada), guitarist Franklyn De Allie and drummer Ian King. Songwriter/vocalist Errol Brown (b. 12 November 1948, Kingston, Jamaica) and bass player Tony Wilson (b. 8 October 1947, Trinidad, Jamaica) and pianist Larry Ferguson (b. 14 April 1948, Nassau, Bahamas) joined later in 1969. Following the departure of De Allie the band was signed to the Beatles' label Apple Records for an enterprising reggae version of the Plastic Ono Band's "Give Peace A Chance". They also provided label-mate Mary Hopkin with the hit "Think About Your Children".

The following year, Hot Chocolate signed to Mickie Most's Rak Records label and again proved their songwriting worth by composing Herman's Hermits hit "Bet Yer Life I Do". In September 1970, Hot Chocolate enjoyed the first hit in their own right with the melodic "Love Is Life". Over the next year, they brought in former Cliff Bennett guitarist Harvey Hinsley (b. 19 January 1948, Northampton, England) and replacement drummer Tony Connor (b. 6 April 1948, Romford, Essex, England) to bolster the line-up. The Brown-Wilson songwriting team enabled Hot Chocolate to enjoy a formidable run of UK Top 10 and Top 20 hits including "I Believe (In Love)", "Brother Louie" (a US number 1 for Stories), "Emma", "A Child's Prayer", "You Sexy Thing", "Put Your Love In Me", "Every 1's A Winner", "No Doubt About It", "Girl Crazy", "It Started With A Kiss" and "What Kinda Boy You Looking For (Girl)".

In the summer of 1987, they scored a number 1 UK hit with the Russ Ballard song "So You Win Again". Although Wilson had left in 1976, the band managed to sustain their incredible hit run. However, the departure of their shaven-headed vocalist and songwriter Errol Brown in 1987 was a much more difficult hurdle to overcome and it came as little surprise when Hot Chocolate's break-up was announced.

Brown went on to register a hit with "Personal Touch", and completed two albums. "You Sexy Thing" enjoyed a revival in 1998 when it was prominently used in the hit film The Full Monty. Brown's solo album followed in 2001.