The Chi-Lites

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*
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

(*) Original members

The Chi-Lites (/ˈʃaɪlaɪts/ SHY-lyts) are a R&B/soul vocal quartet from Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The group's greatest fame came during the early 1970s. They were one of the few groups of the period to have not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record, and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits from 1969 to 1974.

History

Early career 1959–1970

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.[1] 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.[1] Eugene Record was the musical group's primary songwriter and lead singer, though he frequently collaborated with others, such as Barbara Acklin.[1]

1971–1979

Their major hits came in 1971 and 1972, "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl", the latter becaming a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 on 27 May 1972. Each sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.[1] Other transatlantic chart hits followed, although the output became more fragmented as the group's personnel came and went. Bass singer Jones left in 1973, and was replaced in quick succession by Stanley Anderson, Willie Kensey, and then Doc Roberson. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Record left, 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.

1980–1997

In 1980, the mid-1960s quartet of Record, Thompson, Jones, and Lester re-formed the Chi-lites. 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 Charts and reached #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 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.

Honors

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 were honored with an induction into the R&B Music Hall of Fame on August 17, 2013 at the Waetejen Auditorium in Cleveland.

Personal life

Thompson was jailed in 2001 for selling police badges, and Reed returned to fill his position. Upon Thompson's return (bringing his wife Tara with him), Watson left the band, prompting Reed to remain. This line-up of Thompson, Lester, Reed, and wife Tara Thompson on background vocals would remain until the death of Lester in 2010 from liver cancer. Fred Simon of The Lost Generation joined the group to replace Lester and to perform bass vocals.

Frank Reed died on February 26, 2014.[2]

Personnel

Current members
Former members

(Side Men) Only

Discography

Filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 290 & 309. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  2. 1 2 "January to June 2014". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
  3. ↑ Sisario, Ben (July 23, 2005). "Eugene Record, 64, Singer and Writer for Chi-Lites, Dies". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  4. ↑ The Chi-Lites at the Internet Movie Database
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