Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate was first formed in 1969 and was originally named Hot Chocolate Band by Mavis Smith but was quickly shortened to Hot Chocolate. The band started recording a reggae version of John Lennon’s “Give Peace A Chance,” without knowing that they needed permission from Lennon and his label. They did eventually find out that Lennon liked the Hot Chocolate version and the same label, Apple Records, subsequently signed them; however, the association didn’t last long and the group signed with RAK Record Label.

In 1970 Hot Chocolate began to release songs starting with “Love Is Life,” “Emma,” “You Could Have Been A Lady,” and “I Believe In Love.” The string of success continued with the band continually to find charting success in the United Kingdom. They found their peak of success in the 70s with their singles “You Sexy Thing” and “Every 1s a Winner,” both of which also found huge success in the United States. By 1977 they had fifteen hits, and became one of three acts that had a hit every year during the 70s. Success kept coming well into the 80s until they decided to go separate ways in 1986, and it wasn’t until 1992 that the group, with a new lineup resurfaced to make live performances.