シャイライツ (The Chi-Lites)

The Chi-Lites
The Chi-Lites (IPA: ['ʃaɪlaɪts]) were a Chicago-based smooth soul vocal quartet 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.

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 of the Desideros to form The Hi-lites. Wishing to add a tribute 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 subsequently shortened to The Chi-Lites.

Record was the group's primary songwriter, though he frequently collaborated with others, such as Barbara Acklin.

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. Other transatlantic chart smashes followed, although the output became more fragmented as the group's personnel came and went. For example, 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.

At that point, the group totally disintegrated, but re-formed in 1980, with the mid 1960s quartet of Record, Thompson, Jones, and Lester back together. Creadel Jones left for a second time in 1982, and the group was a trio. Record left again in 1988, and new lead Frank Reed was recruited, considered by many to be one of the best in the group's history. Reed left for reasons unknown, and singer Anthony Watson would join the group. (It should be noted that Lester took over singing lead on "Oh Girl", while Watson led on their other songs.) By then, the group also featured a female member.

Once the hits had completely dried up, further changes took place. Around 1989, Jones returned again, but would subsequently leave. Throughout the 1990s, Watson left twice. Each time Reed took over as lead singer. In 2002, the group was comprised of Marshall Thompson, Robert Lester, Anthony Watson, and Tara Henderson. Watson left for a third time, when Thompson's wife took over as female vocalist.

Thompson was then jailed for currently unknown reasons, and Reed returned to temporarily take his place. Upon Thompson's return, Watson was reportedly fired from the group, and Reed once again assumed the role of lead vocalist.

The present day Chi-Lites line-up includes stalwart members Marshall Thompson and Robert "Squirrel" Lester, plus Tara Thompson and lead singer Frank Reed.

The Chi-Lites were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005...
(Wikipedia: The Chi-Lites)