{{Short description|American R&B/soul vocal group from Chicago, Illinois}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{More citations needed|date=July 2013}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = The Chi-LItes-1 promo photo.jpeg | caption = The Chi-Lites 1973 promotional photo, also used on the back cover of their album ''A Letter to Myself'' | alias = Marshall & the Chi-Lites, Hi-Lites, Senior Varieties | origin = Chicago, Illinois, United States | genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul}} | years_active = 1959–present | label = {{hlist|Brunswick|Mercury}} | current_members = * Marshall Thompson * Tara Thompson | past_members = * Robert "Squirrel" Lester * Eugene Record* * Creadel "Red" Jones* * Clarence Johnson* * Stanley Anderson * Burt Bowen* * Eddie Reed* * Willie Kinsey * David "Doc" Roberson * David Scott * Danny Johnson * Vandy Hampton * Frank Reed * Anthony Reynard Watson * Fred Simon * Warren Tipton * {{small|(*) Original members}} | website = {{URL|chi-litesofficial.com}} }}
'''The Chi-Lites''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ʃ|aɪ|l|aɪ|t|s}}, {{respell|SHY|lytes}}) is an American R&B/soul vocal quartet from Chicago. Forming at Chicago's Hyde Park High School in 1959, the group's original lineup consisted of singers Robert Lester, Eugene Record, Creadel Jones, Clarence Johnson, Burt Bowen, Eddie Reed and Marshall Thompson.
The Chi-Lites' greatest fame came during the late 1960s through the early 1970s (with members Record, Jones, Lester and Thompson), scoring eleven top-ten R&B chart hits from 1969 until 1974.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Chi-Lites R&B Single Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-chi-lites/chart-history/bsi/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref> The group also charted 21 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Chi-Lites Pop Chart Singles |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-chi-lites |magazine=Billboard |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref> and had chart hits in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada, as well as in the U.S.
==History== ===Forming and early career=== The original members were lead singer Eugene Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, Clarence Johnson, Burt Bowen, and Eddie Reed of the Chanteurs.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ahmed |first1=Neima |title=The Chi-Lites (1959- ) |url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/groups-organizations-african-american-history/chi-lites-1959/|website=Blackpast.org|access-date=24 July 2020 |date=4 November 2018}}</ref> The group was formed at Hyde Park Academy High School where majority of the members attended (Record attended Englewood High School and Thompson would later transfer to DuSable High School in his senior year and study music under Walter Dyett {{citation needed|date=October 2021}}) in Chicago in 1959. The group performed at their High School "Senior Varieties" talent show. Soon after, they released a single written by Johnson, "You've Got a Great Love".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Chanteurs |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1987509-The-Chanteurs |website=Discogs |access-date=24 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> Bowen left the group and was replaced by Sollie McElroy of the Flamingos, who was soon replaced by Marshall Thompson of the Desideros. In 1960, Reed died and Thompson brought in Creadel "Red" Jones who was a member of the Desideros to replace him. In early 1964 the group changed their name to the Hi-Lites and released a song, "I'm So Jealous",<ref>{{cite web |title=Hi-Lites (2) - I'm So Jealous / The Mix Mix Song |url=https://www.discogs.com/Hi-Lites-Im-So-Jealous-The-Mix-Mix-Song/release/5816792 |website=Discogs |year=1964 |access-date=24 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> with Record on lead.
Noting that the name Hi-lites was already in use and wanting to honor their home town they changed their name to Marshall & the Chi-Lites in 1964.<ref name=Blackpast>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/groups-organizations-african-american-history/chi-lites-1959/|author=Ahmed, Neima|title=THE CHI-LITES (1959– )|access-date=November 4, 2018|website=Blackpast.org|date=November 4, 2018 }}</ref> Under their new name they recorded four songs: "Pretty Girl" written by Record,<ref>{{cite web |title=Marshall* & The Chi-Lites - Pretty Girl |url=https://www.discogs.com/Marshall-The-Chi-Lites-Pretty-Girl/release/3183959 |website=Discogs |year=1966 |access-date=24 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> who also was on lead, "Love Bandit" written by Jones with Thompson on lead, "Price of Love"<ref>{{cite web |title=Marshall* & The Chi-Lites - Price Of Love |url=https://www.discogs.com/Marshall-The-Chi-Lites-Price-Of-Love/release/3175381 |website=Discogs |year=1967 |access-date=24 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and "Baby It's Time". Clarence Johnson left the group later that year, and their name was subsequently shortened to the Chi-Lites.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs"/> Eugene Record was the musical group's sole songwriter and lead singer. Record never collaborated with members outside his singing group. In 1968, the group met with record producer Carl Davis and signed a contract with Brunswick Records out of Chicago. The Chi-Lites with members Record, Thompson, Lester and Jones recorded their first charting song, "Give It Away" written by Davis and Record. The single became a top ten ''Billboard'' R&B hit spending nine weeks on the chart and peaking at No. 10 on March 15, 1969.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Chi-Lites R&B Single Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/the-chi-lites/chart-history/bsi/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref>
===1971–1979=== Their major hits came in 1971 and 1972, "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl", the latter becoming a number one single on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 on May 27, 1972.<ref name=Blackpast/> Each sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.<ref name="The Book of Golden Discs">{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Murrells|year=1978|title=The Book of Golden Discs|edition=2nd|publisher=Barrie and Jenkins Ltd|location=London|page= [https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/290 290 & 309]|isbn=0-214-20512-6|url-access=registration|url= https://archive.org/details/bookofgoldendisc00murr/page/290}}</ref> Other transatlantic chart hits followed, although their output became more fragmented as the group's personnel came and went.<ref name=Blackpast/> Bass-singer Jones left in 1973, and was replaced in quick succession by Stanley Anderson, Willie Kinsey, and then Doc Roberson. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Record left,<ref name=Blackpast/> and David Scott and Danny Johnson entered. More personnel changes ensued, when Johnson was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977. The Chi-lites cut some tracks for the Inphasion label in 1979, which appeared on an obscure album for the Excello label.
===1980–1999=== In 1980, Thompson, Jones, and Lester re-formed the group. Lester was the lead singer. The new group continued using the Chi-Lites established name. Creadel Jones left for a second time in 1982, and the group would remain a trio. In 1983, the group released the critically acclaimed ''Bottoms Up'' album and achieved notable club and R&B chart success with the title track and "Changing For You." Released on LARC Records, the album was also released in the UK on the R&B label under the distribution wing of PRT. "Changing For You" album version was released in the UK as a 12" single which became popular in London clubs, including Flicks in Dartford and The Goldmine in Canvey Island. "Changing For You" also remained on the Caister Weekender playlist for two years. "Changing for You" and the title track "Bottoms Up" were heavily played and promoted by UK jazz funk soul DJ Robbie Vincent. An edited version of "Changing for You" entered the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 61. Record left again in 1988, and new lead Frank Reed joined to replace him. Singer Anthony Reynard Watson replaced Reed later that year and the duty of lead vocals would alternate between Reed and Watson over the course of the next decade. (Lester took over singing lead on "Oh Girl", while Watson led on their other songs).
In 1997, while returning home from a concert in Pennsylvania, the Chi-Lites were involved in a serious car crash which resulted in both Reed and Thompson's wife Constance being ejected from the vehicle. Constance died<ref>{{cite web |last1=Halliburton |first1=Karen |title=Marshall Thompson, the last Chi-Lites member standing keeps the group alive |url=https://50bold.com/marshall-thompson-the-last-chi-lites-member-standing-keeps-the-group-alive/ |website=50BOLD |access-date=18 July 2020 |date=1 March 2020}}</ref> from her injuries and Reed had to have a metal plate inserted in his back. "Hold On to Your Dreams" was included on the ''Help Wanted (Heroes are in Short Supply)'' album in Constance's honor. Reed was subsequently replaced once again by Watson until Watson's permanent departure in 2002. On December 13, 1999, BMI named The Chi-Lites, "Oh Girl" No. 36 of the top 100 songs of the century (1900-1999).<ref>{{cite web |title=BMI Announces Top 100 Songs of the Century |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/19991214_bmi_announces_top_100_songs_of_the_century |website=BMI.com |access-date=18 July 2020 |language=en |date=13 December 1999}}</ref>
===1999–present=== In 2003, the Chi-Lites 1970 hit "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" was sampled by Beyonce in her song "Crazy in Love,"<ref name="independent">{{cite news|author=Robert Webb|title=Story of the song: Crazy in Love, Beyonce (2003)|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/story-of-the-song-crazy-in-love-beyonce-2003-1017557.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109142309/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/story-of-the-song-crazy-in-love-beyonce-2003-1017557.html|archive-date=January 9, 2009|work=The Independent|date=November 14, 2008|access-date=June 1, 2022|location=London}}</ref> and their 1974 song "That's How Long" was used as the backdrop for one of the tracks on Jay-Z's ''Black Album''. In March 2004, the group reunited with former lead Eugene Record for a PBS Soul Music special. Record died in July 2005 following a long battle with cancer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1494807/Eugene-Record.html|title=Eugene Record|date=25 July 2005|access-date=June 1, 2022|website=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Marshall Thompson and Squirrel Lester, along with more recent addition Frank Reed and the group's first female member, wife Tara Thompson, continued as the Chi-Lites, recording and touring over the last two decades with other soul groups such as the Stylistics and Ray, Goodman & Brown. In 2005 the group released the single "Mother Love". Lester died in January 2010, leaving Thompson the sole remaining founding member of the group. Lester was replaced by Fred Simon (formerly of The Lost Generation). In February 2014, Reed died after an illness. In 2018, Warren Tipton, the father of rapper Freddie Gibbs, joined the group.<ref>{{Cite web|via=YouTube|title=Freddie Gibbs {{!}} Ep 163 {{!}} ALL THE SMOKE Full Episode {{!}} SHOWTIME Basketball | date=December 8, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFO9FfgdzrA |language=en |access-date=2022-12-28}}</ref> Fred Simon died in April 2026.
As of 2026, Thompson continues the Chi-Lites' legacy as the last surviving member. On June 17, 2020, Hollywood Walk of Fame announced their Class of 2021 to receive stars on Hollywood Boulevard, and the Chi-Lites were named as one of the honorees.<ref>{{cite web |title=2021 Walk of Fame Class Announced |url=https://walkoffame.com/press_releases/2021-walk-of-fame-class-announced/ |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame |access-date=18 July 2020}}</ref>
Warren Tipton died on May 9, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |title=R.I.P. Warren Tipton of R&B greats the Chi-Lites |url=https://soultracks.com/chi-lites-singer-warren-tipton-dies/ |access-date=11 May 2026 |publisher=Soul Tracks |date=9 May 2026}}</ref>
==Honors== thumb|Marshall Thompson, the last surviving founding member of the group, receives the star for the group on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, September 2021. The group was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2000 and Record appeared with the group on stage to perform and accept the award.
The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005 and the R&B Music Hall of Fame on August 17, 2013, at the Waetejen Auditorium in Cleveland.
On September 30, 2021, the Chi-Lites received star number 2,702 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The award presenters were Sirius XM radio personality Jeff Foxx from New York and Jimmy Walker, best known for his role as J.J. on ''Good Times''. Joining Marshall Thompson was the current group his wife Tara Thompson, Fred Simon, Warren Tipton and Mack Miller. Former original Chi-Lites, now deceased, Eugene Record, Robert Squirrel Lester, and Creadel Red Jones will also be remembered.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gallo |first1=Phil |title=Chi-Lites Get a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame as the World Rediscovers Their '70s R&B Classics |url=https://variety.com/2021/music/news/chi-lites-hollywood-walk-of-fame-interview-1235077685/ |website=Variety |access-date=6 October 2021 |date=30 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Chi-Lites to Be Honored With Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://urbanhollywood411.com/2021/09/28/the-chi-lites-get-star-hollywood-walk-of-fame/ |website=Urbanhollywood411.com |access-date=6 October 2021 |language=en-us |date=29 September 2021}}</ref>
On April 26, 2024, The Chi-Lites along with Dionne Warwick were inducted into the Atlantic City Walk of Fame at Brighton Park. Presenters Wil Hart (original member of The Delfonics), Leroy Burgess, Stuart Bascombe and Russell Patterson (original members of Black Ivory), Cliff Perkins (original member of Soul Generation) and Marvin Brown (original member of The Unifics) inducted The Chi-Lites as the 6th honorees into the Atlantic City Walk of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |author=Selena Vazquez|title=The Chi-Lites, Dionne Warwick inducted into AC Walk of Fame |url=https://pressofatlanticcity.com/life-entertainment/local/music/warwick-chilites-atlanticcity-walkoffame/article_cf3a7d9e-03d1-11ef-9382-b331c12138ec.html |website=Press of Atlantic City |access-date=28 April 2024 |language=en |date=26 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Music Legend Dionne Warwick Shines During Atlantic City Walk of Fame Induction - Front Runner New Jersey |url=https://frontrunnernewjersey.com/2024/04/26/music-legend-dionne-warwick-shines-during-atlantic-city-walk-of-fame-induction/ |website=Frontrunnernewjersey.com |access-date=28 April 2024 |date=27 April 2024}}</ref>
==Personnel== ;Current members * Marshall Thompson – 1959–present * Tara Thompson – 1998–present * Mack Miller – 2014–present
;Former members * Robert "Squirrel" Lester – 1959–2010 * Eugene Record – 1959–1973, 1980–1988<ref name="recorddead">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/23/arts/music/23record.html|title=Eugene Record, 64, Singer and Writer for Chi-Lites, Dies|last=Sisario|first=Ben|date=July 23, 2005|work=The New York Times|pages=1|access-date=November 2, 2011}}</ref> * Creadel "Red" Jones – 1959–1973, 1980–1982 * Clarence Johnson – 1959–1964 * Fred Simon – 2010–2026<ref>{{cite news |title=R.I.P. Fred Simon, the last original member of The Lost Generation |url=https://soultracks.com/fred-simon-the-lost-generation-dies/ |access-date=4 April 2026 |publisher=Soul Tracks |date=3 April 2026}}</ref> * Warren Tipton – 2018–2023
;Sidemen * Stanley Anderson – 1973 * Willie Kinsey – 1973 * David "Doc" Roberson – 1973 * David Scott – 1976–1980 * Danny Johnson – 1976–1977 * Vandy Hampton – 1976–1980 * Frank Reed – 1988, 1990–1993, 1996–1998, 2001–2014<ref name="Dead">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2014.html#sthash.I1JWrgEv.5JIfmx9w.dpbs|title=January to June 2014|publisher=The Dead Rock Stars Club|access-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> * Anthony Reynard Watson – 1988–1990, 1993–1996, 1998–2002 * Marzette Griffin – 2015–2018
==Discography== {{main|The Chi-Lites discography}} {{colbegin}} * ''Give It Away'' (1969) * ''I Like Your Lovin' (Do You Like Mine?)'' (1970) * ''(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People'' (1971) * ''A Lonely Man'' (1972) * ''A Letter to Myself'' (1973) * ''Chi-Lites'' (1973) * ''Toby'' (1974) * ''Half a Love'' (1975) * ''Happy Being Lonely'' (1976) * ''The Fantastic Chi-Lites'' (1977) * ''Heavenly Body'' (1980) * ''Love Your Way Through'' (1981) * ''Me and You'' (1982) * ''Bottom's Up'' (1983) * ''Steppin' Out'' (1984) * ''Just Say You Love Me'' (1990) * ''Help Wanted'' (1998) * ''Low Key'' (2001) {{colend}}
==Filmography== * 1996 – ''Original Gangstas'', as themselves * 2002 – ''Only The Strong Survive'', as themselves<ref>{{IMDb title|0308672}}</ref>
==Television appearances== '''''Soul Train'''''<ref name="The Chi-Lites TV Appearance">{{cite web|title=The Chi-Lites TV Appearance|url=http://www.tv.com/people/the-chi-lites/|website=TV.com}}</ref> * December 18, 1971 / Season 1 Episode No. 12 * March 18, 1972 / Season 1 Episode No. 25 * March 31, 1973 / Season 2 Episode No. 24 * October 19, 1974 / Season 4 Episode No. 7 * February 28, 1976 / Season 5 Episode No. 28 * January 31, 1981 / Season 10 Episode No. 16 * April 17, 1982 / Season 11 Episode No. 20
'''''American Bandstand'''''<ref name="The Chi-Lites TV Appearance"/> * January 13, 1973 / Season 16 Episode No. 12 * April 6, 1974 / Season 17 Episode No. 31 * January 18, 1975 / Season 1 Episode No. 12
'''''The Sammy Davis Jr. Show'''''<ref>{{cite web|title=Sammy & Company: January 10, 1976|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/sammy-and-company/january-10-1976-1251016/|website=TV.com|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> * January 10, 1976 / Season 2 Episode No. 15
'''''Midnight Special'''''<ref>{{cite web|title=The Midnight Special: Host: Wilson Pickett|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/the-midnight-special/host-wilson-pickett-205433/|website=TV.com|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> * September 21, 1973 / Season 2 Episode No. 2
'''''Saturday Night Live'''''
Eugene Record performed "Have You Seen Her" on April 8, 1978.
'''''Into The Night'''''<ref>{{cite web|title=Into the Night: October 29, 1990|url=http://www.tv.com/shows/into-the-night/october-29-1990-2541528/|website=TV.com|access-date=23 July 2020}}</ref> * October 29, 1990 / Season 1 Episode No. 75
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * https://walkoffame.com/thechilites/ * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3883}} * {{discogs artist|The Chi-Lites}} * {{imdb name|1202268}} * [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/519/robert_squirrel_lester_the_chi-lights_classi... The Chi-Lites interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' June 1990 (republished March 2010)] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080821062908/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/thechilites/biography Chi-Lites] st ''Rolling Stone'' * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7qHQc6m7Vc Marshall Thompson Tells Tom the History of The Chi-Lites.] YouTube interview with Tom Meros, September 9, 2017.
{{The Chi-Lites}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chi-Lites, The}} Category:The Chi-Lites Category:African-American musical groups Category:American funk musical groups Category:American soul musical groups Category:Musical groups from Chicago Category:Vocal quartets Category:20th-century American guitarists Category:Revue Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1959 Category:Hyde Park Academy High School alumni Category:1959 establishments in Illinois