On April 24, bassist and songwriter Tony Wilson passed away. The Hot Chocolate’s co-founder died at the age of 89. The musician’s kids shared an emotional tribute for the artist. On Facebook, Tony Wilson’s daughter shared a picture with her father. In her tribute, Wilson’s daughter wrote:
“Dad left us today, April 24th 2026. He left a lot of music behind…forever and ever. 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.”
The musician took his last breath in his Trinidad home. His daughter further 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. Look around….We carry nothing with us. We have to make our election sure. This is serious.”
Tony Wilson was born in Trinidad, which influenced his work. He played in bands like The Souvenirs, The Flames, and The Corduroys before he started the British band Hot Chocolate with his friend Errol Brown in the 1960s. Hot Chocolate got their break in 1969.
Tony Wilson’s son also paid tribute to Hot Chocolate bassist
Tony Wilson’s son, Danny, also wrote a long note remembering his late father. He admired the musician’s dedication to music.
“It’s been an emotional weekend. On Friday, my dad, the one and only TONY Wilson Musician passed away, aged 89, at his home in Trinidad. Words don’t do justice to the admiration I have for him as a human being or for his dedication to make his dream of getting the songs he wrote be heard.”
He further mentioned how he went through Tony’s diaries during his family trip last year.
“I had the privilege of sitting down with him and going through those diaries with him on my trip to Trinidad with my family last year, and I will hold that memory dear for the rest of my days. The way he lit up when I read each entry to him was the most animated I think I ever saw him, and he remembered just about everything he had painstakingly documented over half a century ago.”
Danny said that Tony Wilson penned songs in his diaries for over half a century. He said Wilson wrote songs for his band Hot Chocolate, alongside those for Mary Hopkins, Mavis John, and others.
“Along with the many songs he wrote and performed with his band, Hot Chocolate, he also penned tracks for Herman’s Hermits, Mary Hopkins and Mavis John, amongst others (there was mention of Ray Charles – but somehow, this was one of the things he couldn’t remember!)”
Lastly, Danny said he is lucky that he can always use YouTube to see his father.
“I am very lucky. I can open up YouTube and see him and hear his voice whenever I want. And this weekend, I’ve been doing that a lot. He meant so much to so many people – of that I have become acutely aware through social media posts since his passing.”
Tony Wilson’s Hot Chocolate became the first mainly black British band to find significant success on the American charts.
Edited by Sroban Ghosh