The Chi-Lites
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The Chi-Lites were a Chicago-based smooth soul band from the early 1970s, one of the few from the period to not come from Memphis or Philadelphia. They were led by Eugene Record and scored eleven Top Ten R&B hits in the early part of the decade. Record was the group's primary songwriter, though he frequently collaborated with others, such as Barbara Acklin.
The group formed in the late 1950s when The Chanteurs (Record, Robert "Squirrel" Lester, and Clarence Johnson) teamed up with Marshall Thompson and Creadel "Red" Jones to form The Hi-lites. Wishing a trbute to their home town of Chicago, they changed their name to Marshall and the Chi-Lites in 1964. Johnson left later that year and their name was shortened to The Chi-Lites.
Their majo hits came in 1971, with Have You Seen Her?, and 1972, with Oh Girl. Bass singer Creadel Jones left in 1973 and was replaced by Stanley Anderson, who was quickly replaced by Willie Kensey, who was then replaced by Doc Roberson. Shortly thereafter, Eugene Record left, and David Scott and Danny Johnson entered. Johnson was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977.
At that point the group disintegrated, but re-formed as a trio in 1980 with Record, Thompson, Jones, and Lester. Creadel Jones left for a second time in 1982, leaving the group a trio. Record left again in 1990, and new lead Anthony Watson was recruited, considered by many to be the best in the group's history. (It should be noted that Robert Lester took over lead of "Oh Girl", while Watson led the other songs.) The group also featured an ever-changing female member.
In the early 1990s, Creadel Jones returned again, and would subsequently leave. Throughout the 1990s, Watson left twice; each time Greg Reed took over as lead singer. In 2002 the group was Marshall Thompson, Robert Lester, Anthony Watson, and Tara Henderson. Watson left for a third time and Thompson's wife took over as female vocalist. The current group is Thompson, Lester, Tara Thompson, and new lead Frank Reed.