Marshall Thompson was born into a musical family in Chicago. His father played piano at the Apollo Theater, The Cotton Club, and worked with celebrities like Redd Foxx. Marshall’s uncle taught him to play drums he started playing in bands in high school….first with The Desiseros and then the Hi-Lites, which became the Chi-Lites in honor of the group’s home town (and because there was another group using the name Hi-Lites). During the Chi-Lites’ early days, Marshall also toured with Major Lance and played with Gladys Knight & The Pips at their Chicago gig.  The Chi-Lites were regulars on both the Billboard Pop and R&B charts in the late 60’s-70’s with songs like “Oh Girl” and “Have You Seen Her”, and have been sampled by other artists, most notably Beyonce, who sampled “Are You My Woman” for her Grammy-winning song, “Crazy In Love”.  But it wasn’t all work and no play for Marshall. He’s the father of sixteen children from his three marriages.

Despite suffering a stroke in 2014, Marshall continues to perform as the last original member of the Chi-Lites. The group got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.