The Chi-Lites
In the late 50s, Eugene Record and Robert 'Squirrel' Lester
were performing in a singing group called The Chanteurs, while
Creadel "Red" Jones and Marshall Thompson were in The
Desideros. The groups frequently sang against other in talent
shows.
As the two groups gradually fell apart - with other members
getting married, joining the army etc - the four decided to
combine their talents in 1960 as a new vocal quartet, originally
named The Hi-Lites (they changed the name to The Chi-Lites the
following year, with the "Chi" in honour of their
hometown, Chicago).
It took until 1969 for the group to have their first hit with
Give It Away, though their major hits came in 1971 and
1972, with Have You Seen Her? and Oh Girl, the
latter a number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in
1972.
Red Jones left in 1973, and was replaced in quick succession
by Stanley Anderson, Willie Kensey, and then Doc Roberson., but
by 1975, things were falling apart. As with so many artists,
stardom had taken its toll. Meanwhile, the Brunswick label went
down the drain taking many of its artists with it.
Eugene Record signed a solo deal with Warner Brothers and
recorded three largely unsuccessful albums with them before
walking away. David Scott and Danny Johnson joined the group,
with the latter replaced by Vandy Hampton in short order.
It was all over by 1977.
The original Chi-Lites reformed in 1980, releasing Hot On
A Thing. The group operated as a trio when Red Jones
departed again in 1982. Record found religion in 1988 and
quit the group to set up his own gospel label, Evergreen
Records. He was replaced for a while by new lead singer, Frank
Reed, and then by Anthony Watson.
The present-day Chi-Lites consists of Marshall Thompson (the
only original member), Frank Reed, Fred Simon and Tara Thompson
(Marshall\'s wife).
Robert 'Squirrel' Lester died on 21 January 2010 in Chicago
after a long battle with liver cancer. He was 67.
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