HOT CHOCOLATE LEGEND
ERROL BROWN
TO TOUR UK Friday 18th February 2005
Birmingham Symphony Hall
Errol Brown, returns to tour in the UK after a 3 year break bringing his
distinctive soul packed vocals to the masses. His songs have stood the test of
time and are frequently heard on radio stations, commercials and at all good
parties!
The former Hot Chocolate frontman, will be performing 24 shows in the UK
in February and March. The legendary singer, whose hit 'It Started with a Kiss'
was voted one of the top 20 love songs of all time, says of this tour
'I can't begin to tell you how much I'm looking forward to returning to the UK
and touring. I always find that nothing compares to the nerves, anticipation,
excitement and sheer joy of performing live. I would like to thank everyone both
on-going and new audiences who come out to see and hear me. Where would I be
without you.'
This is the first time Brown has performed in the UK in 3 years and since
receiving his MBE for services to music from the Queen in 2003. Earlier this
year he was awarded the prestigious Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement Award.
The shows will feature some of his most popular songs, including 'You Sexy
Thing', which brought Brown to the attention of a whole new generation following
its use in the hit movie The Full Monty, 'Everyone's a Winner', 'So You Win
Again' and of course, 'Started with a Kiss'.
Errol Brown will be performing in Birmingham on Friday
18th February at Birmingham Symphony Hall
Tickets are priced at £20 and £17.50. Telephone 0121
780 3333 to book.
National Credit Card Hotline 0870 444 5556 or book online at
www.ticketline.co.uk Agency and
credit card bookings are subject to a booking fee. We have a pair of tickets to be won! (See
below)
WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE ERROL
BROWN AT SYMPHONY HALL
For your chance to win simply answer the following question: -
Question: Name the song which was used in the film "The Full Monty"
Click here to send us
your answer (please put "Errol Brown"
as the subject and remember to include your name and address so that we
can send the lucky winners their tickets).
The draw will take place on 5th. February 2005
EMI have just released a new CD entitled 'A's, B's
and Rarities' which features a selection of Hot Chocolate hits
including 'Emma' and 'Give Peace a Chance' (reggae version). Win a copy now! (See below!)
WIN THE HOT CHOCOLATE CD
For your chance to win
a copy of the CD, just answer the simple question below. CLICK HERE to e-mail us your
answer. Please put "Hot Chocolate" as the
subject and remember to include your name and address.
Question
Name one of the hits on 'A's,
B's and Rarities'.
The draw will take place on 21st. February 2005
Errol Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where he lived as a
small child, and moved to London with his mother aged 11.
Unlike many of his musical contemparies, Errol harboured no aspirations to sing
or gain a record deal. Instead, he sought the security of regular employment.
However, a chance meeting with Trinidadian born musician Tony Wilson, during the
late sixties put a change to all that.
'Tony and I used to go out ten pin bowling and while driving I'd start to sing.
When asked what I was singing, I'd tell him it was a just a tune I had in my
head. This happened a few times and Tony suggested I try writing songs with him
- so we did and that'ıs how I got into songwriting.'
Errol began regularly attending recording studios and learnt to play the guitar.
Within six months Errol and Tony recorded a reggae styled demo of John Lennon's
'Give Peace A Chance' - Errol having added new lyrics to the song. By his own
admission Errol wasn't expecting an imminent break through but once John Lennon
heard the cover, he decided to sign the band.
The Hot Chocolate Band signed to Apple records and soon became known as Hot
Chocolate. Although their version of 'Give Peace A Chance' failed to chart, the
groupıs follow up 'Love Is Life' proved more successful. Errol was pleased with
the results but was determined not to be categorised.
'It was never my intension to make black music. I just wanted to make music! You
have to understand, the only reason Iıve survived so long is because I make
music that's true to me.' says Errol passionately. 'Who I am is someone of mixed
culture that grew up in England. Iım influenced by all the things I listened to
growing up and that's what comes out in my music.'
'When I started Hot Chocolate I wanted a rock n' roll guitarist because I wanted
to give the music that edge. I wanted to have strings on the songs too and if I
wanted to make a song that was a little classical in sound I didnıt want anybody
to tell me that I couldn't do it. I wanted to just make music.'
With a determination not to emulate American soul singers but instead to stick
resolutely to his own musical inclinations Errol and Hot Chocolate blossomed
under Mickey Most's Rak Records Label. Throughout the seventies and eighties the
group entered the British charts every year for fifteen years, notching up over
twenty hits. These included 'You Sexy Thing', 'Every Ones A Winner', 'Started
With A Kiss', 'Emma', 'Brother Louie', 'No Doubt About It' and 'So You Win
Again' which made number one in 1977. By the eighties Hot Chocolate had become
so much part of British culture, they performed at Prince Charles and Lady
Dianaıs wedding reception.
For Errol, the memories of Hot Chocolate and its legacy remain precious. 'The
greatest moment in my career was gaining that first hit record with Hot
Chocolate. All of a sudden you come from being an ordinary person who listens to
music to someone thatıs actually involved in it.'
With a wife and two young daughters, family life has proved a more appealing
alternative to life in the fast lane. However, the lure of the stage has proved
irresistible and Errol toured again followling the success of 'The Full Monty'
which featured 'You Sexy Thing' as its theme, which exposed his work to a whole
new audience.
This Christmas EMI are to release an album called 'A's B's and Rarities' of
Errol's/Hot Chocolate hits.
Errol featured in BBC 1's 'All Time Greatest Love Songs' in Autumn 2004 as one
of the special guest stars alongside Mick Hucknall, Julio Iglesias, Lionel
Richie and Donny Osmond. He performed 'It Started With A Kiss' which was voted
as one of the top 20 best love songs ever.
The Queen awarded Errol with an MBE in 2003 for his services to music and
earlier this year he received the coveted Ivor Novello Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Check out
for a great choice of competition prizes
If you wish to contact us either :
PHONE 0845 166 8709 (local rate from anywhere in the UK)
OR +44 (0)121 444 4723 OR e-mail Editor@birmingham101.com
