‘You Sexy Thing’ co-writer Tony Wilson dies, family confirms

Tony Wilson, cofounder of British soul band Hot Chocolate and co-writer of the iconic hit You Sexy Thing, has died at the age of 89.

Wilson’s death was confirmed by his son, who shared that the musician passed away at his home in Trinidad. No cause of death has been disclosed.

In a tribute, his son reflected on Wilson’s lifelong dedication to music, noting the hard work and persistence it took for him to achieve success as a songwriter and performer.

He also highlighted his father’s contributions beyond Hot Chocolate, including writing for artists such as Herman’s Hermits and Mary Hopkin.

Wilson rose to prominence after forming Hot Chocolate in the late 1960s alongside Errol Brown.

The duo went on to co-write You Sexy Thing, which became one of the band’s most enduring hits. Released in 1975, the track reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later enjoyed renewed popularity after being featured in films including The Full Monty.

The song’s success helped cement Hot Chocolate’s place in pop and soul music history, with Wilson playing a key role in shaping the band’s early sound and direction.

Wilson initially served as the group’s frontman, but contractual limitations prevented him from performing on certain recordings, allowing Brown to step into the lead vocalist role.

Despite early success, tensions later emerged between the two musicians, particularly over songwriting credits and royalties.

Following a dispute over “You Sexy Thing,” Wilson left the band in the mid-1970s to pursue a solo career.

While he released two albums, his solo efforts did not achieve the same commercial success as his work with Hot Chocolate.

In later years, Wilson stepped back from the music industry, though his legacy remained tied to one of the most recognizable hits of its era.

Tributes have since poured in, with many fans and peers describing him as an influential yet often underrated figure in the evolution of British soul music.