The Chi-Lites were formed in Chicago in 1959. Originally called the Hi-Lites, they consisted of Marshall Thompson, Creadel “Red” Jones, Eugene Record, Robert Lester and Clarence Johnson.
As the Hi-Lites they released a number of singles on local labels then in 1964 they changed their name to Marshall & the Chi-Lites; the ‘C’ being added to reflect the name of their hometown, Chicago, By the end of 1964 Clarence Johnson had left the group and they truncated their name to simply the Chi-Lites. During the ensuing four years Eugene Record slowly emerged as the group’s lead singer, songwriter and producer.
In 1969, after singing with Brunswick the previous year, “Give It Away” became their first USA national hit single attaining number ten in the R&B charts. The follow-up release “Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was” was moderately successful but another major hit was elusive until “Are you My Woman?” climbed into the R&B top ten in early 1971. A succession of top ten hits followed commencing with their next release “(For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People” which was the first release to crossover into the pop charts. The ballads “Have You Seen Her” and “Oh Girl” followed, both reaching number one in the R&B charts with “Oh Girl” also achieving the number one slot in the pop charts in the spring of 1972.
The Chi-Lites lineup changed shortly after “Stoned Out of My Mind”. Creadel Jones was replaced by Stanley Anderson, who himself was replaced by Willie Kensey. Three top ten R&B hits followed – “Homely Girl”, “There Will Never Be Any Peace” and “Toby”, before Kensey was replaced with Doc Roberson.
Brunswick however, ran into financial problems. This frustrated the promoting of the group’s records and led to Eugene Record leaving to become a solo recording artist for Warner Bros. The remaining members were joined by David Scott and Danny Johnson although Johnson himself was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977. They signed with Mercury but no hits were forthcoming.
In 1980, the group signed to Carl Davis’ Chi-Sound label and although they were more successful than when on Mercury, their first genuine hit was 1982’s “Hot On A Thing (Called Love)” which reached number 15. The following year their final top ten hit “Bottoms Up” came after signing for Larc Records. Later that year Creadel Jones retired and the group continued as a trio to the end of the decade.
The ‘90s saw Anthony Watson join the group and Creadel Jones returning. This lineup was regular on the oldies and soul circuit of the decade.
In 2000 the Chi-Lites were inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
