Tony Wilson, a member of the band Hot Chocolate who co-wrote their iconic hit song 'You Sexy Thing,' has died at the age of 78. Wilson, the band's bassist, songwriter, and vocalist, passed away in his native Trinidad on Friday. His family confirmed the news, with his daughter sharing a statement on Facebook.
Family Statement
'Dad left us today, April 24th, 2026. He left a lot of music behind… forever and ever,' his daughter wrote. '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.' She added, 'The peace that I have is knowing that his soul escaped. He is in and at peace. That is the peace I also have. I give God thanks and praise.'
Musical Legacy
Wilson co-founded Hot Chocolate with Errol Brown in 1968. The duo wrote some of the band's biggest songs, including 'Love Is Life,' 'You Could Have Been a Lady,' 'Emma,' 'Brother Louie,' and 'You Sexy Thing.' The latter reached number two on the UK charts and number three on the US Billboard charts. It experienced a resurgence in popularity after being featured in the 1997 film 'The Full Monty,' where the character Gaz, played by Robert Carlyle, performs a striptease to the song, propelling it back to number six on the charts.
Remembering Tony Wilson
Wilson's contributions to music have left a lasting impact, and his passing marks the end of an era for fans of Hot Chocolate. Further details about his life and career are expected to be released in the coming days.
