Wave Wire Services
HOLLYWOOD — Singers received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last week during separate ceremonies honoring R&B group the Chi-Lites and Spanish singing star Alejandro Sanz.
The Chi-Lites, a vocal quartet that had 11 top 10 singles on the Billboard R&B charts between 1969 and 1974 were honored Sept. 30, with founder and lone surviving original member Marshall Thompson on hand for the ceremony, along with comedian Jimmy Walker and radio personality Jeff Fox.
“This has been a long time coming. This is a dream come true,” Thompson said.
The group’s 1972 song about a relationship on the verge of break-up “Oh Girl” was 36th on the list of the 20th century’s most played songs on American radio and television compiled by the music rights organization BMI. It was also the group’s only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100.
The Chi-Lites’ other top 10 singles on the Billboard R&B charts included “Have You Seen Her,” “Give It Away,” “(For God’s Sake) Give More Power To The People,” “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So),” “A Letter To Myself,” “The Coldest Days of My Life” and “Stoned Out Of My Mind.”
In 1959, Thompson formed a vocal group called the “Hi-Lights” in Chicago with Eugene Record, Robert Lester and Creadel “Red” Jones. After releasing several singles on local labels, the group changed its name in 1964 to “Marshall & The Chi-Lites.” In 1969, the group changed its name to The Chi-Lites and were signed by Brunswick Records.
The Chi-Lites were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2000 and the followed by the Vocal Groups Hall Of Fame in 2004.
The group appeared on such television shows as “American Bandstand,” “Soul Train,” “The Midnight Special,” “Saturday Night Live” and “The Flip Wilson Show.”
Alejandro Sanz was honored Oct. 1, one week before the four-time Grammy-winning Spanish singer begins a 12-city U.S. tour.
“I never even imagined that one day I would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Sanz said. “I dreamt of so many things. I dreamt of one day I would be on a stage. I dreamt of making music with people I love. But never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this moment.”
Oscar-nominated actress Yalitza Aparicio and Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, preceded Sanz in speaking at the ceremony in front of the Capitol Records building.
Sanz won best Latin pop album Grammys in 2020 for “#Eldisco,” in 2011 for “Paraiso Express,” in 2008 for “El Tren De Los Momentos,” and in 2004 for “No Es Lo Mismo.” He also was nominated in the category for the 2016 ceremony for “Sirope” and the 2001 ceremony for “El Alma Al Aire.”
Sanz is a 21-time Latin Grammy winner, including three for album of the year.
Born Alejandro Sanchez Pizarro in Madrid, Spain, Sanz began playing the guitar when he was 7 years old. As a teenager, he performed in various venues in his native Madrid. He released his debut album, “Los Chulos Son Pa’ Cuidarlos” in 1989 for the Spanish label Hispavox.
Sanz began his rise to fame in 1991, when he released his first album for Warner Music Latina, “Viviendo Deprisa.”
Of Sanz’s 11 studio albums, all but “Los Chulos Son Pa’ Cuidarlos” have been certified as platinum by the Spanish music trade association known as Promusicae.
Sanz has collaborated with such artists as Tony Bennett, Alicia Keys, Shakira, Destiny’s Child, Camila Cabello, Laura Pausini, The Corrs, Ivete Sangalo, Emeli Sande, Juanes, Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Alejandro Fernandez, Joaquin Sabina, Joan Manuel Serrat, Pablo Alboran, Nina Pastori, Judit Neddermann and Nicky Jam.
Sanz sang “Imagine” at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.
Sanz’s “La Gira” tour includes an Oct. 29 stop at the YouTube Theater at the Sofi Stadium complex in Inglewood, where he will sing his greatest hits and songs from “#Eldisco.”
