Talk:The Chi-Lites

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In addition to the single and album lists, I'd like to see the track listings, too. I absolutely love the music of The Chi-Lites, many of their songs bring tears to my eyes. EdX20 21:21, 18 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

In this edit in 2007, the contents of this article seem to have been replaced with pasted material from [1]. From that point and all subsequent, this article has evidently been an unauthorized derivative work of that source. --Moonriddengirl ^(talk) 20:33, 9 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]

One or more portions of this article duplicated other source(s). The material was copied from: http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:gifixqw5ldfe~T1. Infringing material has been rewritten or removed and must not be restored, unless it is duly released under a compatible license. (For more information, please see

This page is begging for a complete rewrite. It looks like this has been going on at least since 2010. As it stands now, almost all of the material is a garbled incoherent mess, most cut and pasted from the allmusic.com page: "shortened the name from the Chi-Lites to the Chi-Lites"?? This is a pretty important band to have gone without a decent Wikipedia page since 2010. Anyone out there who knows this band want to take a stab at a band history not just cut and pasted from another site? Lafong (talk) 03:23, 29 January 2017 (UTC)[reply]

I am Paul Crossgrove. Over the years I have read and followed the Wikipedia info about the Chi-Lites. I edited in the info about Hyde Park High School and their original name: The Chanteurs.

I attended Hyde Park High School when the Chanteurs performed in the Hyde Park Senior Varieties. I attended many of their rehearsals held in their apartment across from the Woodlawn Boy's Club. I did not sing with them.

I am confused about several items included in the Wiki write-up. One is the casual mention of Clarence Johnson. Clarence sang with them. He had a very raspy voice and it just didn't fit. Next thing I knew, Clarence was no longer rehearsing with them. Solly McElroy also sang with the group. (One night, before rehearsal began, Eugene unveiled a recorder for use during rehearsal sessions. It was not tape. It was a wire recorder!)

I am perplexed how a baratone singer, Marshall Thompson, became the de-facto leader of the Chi-Lites? He was their choreographer. I have nothing negative to say about his contribution to the success of the group. I will say this: baratones do not lead groups. Tenors are the lead singers. The Chi-Lites had two tenors: Eugene and Squirrel. Eugene was the lead and leader. I have seen the confusing Wiki info and it does seem like a person or group (All Music?) has taken a position to rewrite their legacy and history. In fact, there is a site dedicated to the new Chi-Lites. It's called "The Chi-Lites featuring Marshall Thompson"

One more thing: The Ego. Squrill (sp?) was the pretty boy. A magnet for female groupies. I neer saw any overt tension between Gene and Squirrel but I believe later on this (I'll call it jealousy)caused Eugene to leave the group. I am posting this information for anyone who can substantiate or denounce it. I was there.

Respectfully submitted to you. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Chicago Born (talk • contribs) 20:36, 16 August 2017 (UTC)[reply]

Hi Paul, Although Eugene was the lead singer and songwriter, Marshall was the leader of The Chi-Lites. The group even recorded 4 singles as Marshall & The Chi-Lites. Marshall was responsible for getting their gigs and his family put up the money for recording in the early days. Being the leader has nothing to do with whether you sing tenor or baritone. A great example, Otis Williams of The Temptations was the leader of the group, however, and wasn't a lead singer or the tenor of the group. Marshall said that you had most of the story correct in what you wrote. Vannessajg (talk) 05:38, 27 July 2020 (UTC)[reply]

"Also, the group reunited with former lead Eugene Record for the March 2004 PBS Soul Music special and they sounded great." Sounded great is a terrible ending. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:600:9880:E60:F58C:2AB6:F397:6C65 (talk) 18:34, 20 April 2022 (UTC)[reply]