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The Chi-Lites

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Chi-Lites is an American R&B and soul group from Chicago. The group came about in 1959 at Hyde Park Academy High School, with, among others, Eugene Record, Robert Lester, Clarence Johnson, Burt Bowen and Eddie Reed. Marshall Thompson and Creadel Jones joined later. After a few names, including Hi-Lites and Marshall and the Chi-Lites, it became simply The Chi-Lites. Eugene Record was the only songwriter and lead singer. In 1968 the group signed with Brunswick Records in Chicago, with the producer Carl Davis. Their first hit, Give It Away, reached tenth place on the Billboard R&B chart in 1969.

Music and breakthrough

In 1971 and 1972 their greatest successes followed: Have You Seen Her and Oh Girl, which became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 27 May 1972. Both sold more than a million copies. Between 1969 and 1974 the group had eleven top 10 hits on the R&B chart and 21 on the Hot 100. They were also successful in Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada. As the line-up changed, the work became less coherent. Jones left in 1973, and shortly afterwards Record did too.

Influence

The Chi-Lites sang smooth, melodic soul with high, vulnerable lead vocals and rich backing voices. The mood is tender and often melancholy, as in songs about lost love. In this way they belong to the Chicago soul of the early 1970s, which has since been much sampled and covered.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Oh Girl and notice the soft harmonica that opens the song and Eugene Record's high, pleading lead voice.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists