The Chi-Lites is an R&B and Soul vocal group from Chicago, Illinois who rose up to fame in the early 1970s. The group was formed at Hyde Park High School in Chicago in 1959 by its original members, Eugene Record, Robert Lester, and Clarence Johnson. The group originally went by the name The Chaunters, and released one single on Renee Records in 1959. Shortly after, Creadel Jones and Marshall Thompson, who originally sung with The Desideros, teamed up the Chaunters to create the Hi-Lites. Over the next four years, the Hi-Lites released numerous singles through local labels. In 1964, they changed their name to Marshall and the Chi-Lites, adding the ‘C’ as a tribute to their hometown of Chicago. By the end of 1964, Marshall Thompson left the group which altered the group’s name to the Chi-Lites. Over the next four years, the Chi-Lites continued to perform and release singles while Eugene Record slowly emerged as the lead singer for the group.

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Founding member Eugene Record died in 2005 at the age of 64. The Chi-Lites, although consisting of mostly new members, continues to create music and perform.