The Chi-Lites | |
---|---|
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | R&B, soul |
Years active | 1959–present |
Labels | Brunswick, Mercury |
Associated acts | The Whispers, The Gap Band, Rufus, Earth, Wind and Fire, The O'Jays, The Lost Generation, The Emotions |
Website | Official website |
Members | Marshall Thompson * Tara Thompson Fred Simon |
Past members |
Robert Squirrel Lester* |
Robert Squirrel Lester*
Eugene Record*
Creadel 'Red' Jones*
Clarence Johnson*
Stanley Anderson
Willie Kensey
David 'Doc' Roberson
David Scott
Danny Johnson
Vandy Hampton
Frank Reed
Anthony Reynard Watson
The Chi-Lites (/ˈʃaɪlaɪts/ SHY-lyts) are an R&B/soul vocal quartet from Chicago, Illinois, United States.
The group's greatest fame came during the early 1970s. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits from 1969 to 1974.
The group was formed at Hyde Park High School in Chicago in the late 1950s as the Chanteurs (Eugene Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson). They later teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones of the Desideros to form the Hi-lites. Noting that the name Hi-lites was already in use, and wishing to add a tribute to their home town of Chicago, they changed their name to "The Chi-Lites" in 1964. Clarence Johnson left later that year, and their name was subsequently shortened to the Chi-Lites. Eugene Record was the musical group's primary songwriter and lead singer, though he frequently collaborated with others, including Barbara Acklin.