It started in 1959 when Marshall Thompson formed a vocal group called the “Hi-Lights” in his hometown of Chicago with fellow members Eugene Record, Robert Lester and Creadel “Red” Jones.  After releasing several singles on local labels, the group changed their name in 1964 to “Marshall & The Chi-Lites”.  By the time the group changed their name to The Chi-Lites in 1969 they were signed by Nat Tarnopol and Carl Davis to Brunswick Records, where they would soon become international superstars.