Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Eugene Record.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Eugene Record
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Key Information
Eugene Booker Record (December 23, 1940 – July 22, 2005)[1] was an American singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer. He was best known as the lead vocalist of the Chicago-based vocal group The Chi-Lites. He had international hits with "Oh Girl," "Have You Seen Her," "Soulful Strut," and "(For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People". His writing contributions earned him a Grammy Award.
Biography
[edit]Born in Chicago, Illinois, United States,[1] to Booker and Bernice Record,[2][3] Record was drawn to music through his older sister's involvement as a pianist. He learned to play the guitar and formed his first group while at high school with Robert Lester, who stayed on when they joined up with two members of another local group to form The Hi-Lites and eventually changing the name to The Chi-Lites. After a few unsuccessful singles, the group was signed by Brunswick Records production chief in Chicago, Carl Davis.
Record wrote or co-wrote (often with singer Barbara Acklin) a long series of hits for the group, including million-sellers "Have You Seen Her" and "Oh Girl", as well as major hits, such as "Homely Girl" and "Give More Power To The People". He also wrote and produced for other artists, mostly on Brunswick, including Acklin, Jackie Wilson, The Lost Generation, Otis Leavill, and later, The Dells and The Impressions.
When Brunswick began to falter due to legal and financial issues in the mid-1970s, Record decided to go solo and released three albums (entitled The Eugene Record, Trying to Get to You, and Welcome to My Fantasy) in the late 1970s on Warner Music Group without major success, before re-joining The Chi-Lites in 1980. As well as returning to sing with the group, he teamed up again with Carl Davis, formerly his mentor at Brunswick, to produce and take on executive duties for Davis' Chi-Sound Records label.
Record stayed with The Chi-Lites until the mid-1980s for several albums on various labels before leaving again. Becoming a born-again Christian, he produced a gospel album on his own Evergreen label. He also continued to make occasional guest appearances with the group.
In 1978, he appeared on Saturday Night Live with Michael Palin. He performed "Have You Seen Her" and "Trying to Get to You". In 1979 he recorded his only track which ventured onto the disco scene called, "Magnetism". The record was released on 12" single and, despite being played regularly in local clubs, did not become a hit.[4] His 1977 track entitled "Overdose of Joy" has had a resurgence of interest.
In 2003, he appeared as lead singer with the Chi-Lites singing "Have You Seen Her" live in Atlantic City during the PBS special, "70s Soul Superstars (My Music)".[5][6]
Personal life
[edit]Eugene Record was married twice. He first married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Scott, about whom the hit, "Have You Seen Her", was written.[3] He later married his second wife, Jacqueline. Record has been erroneously reported to have married Barbara Acklin. They were never married.[3]
He died on July 22, 2005, in Chicago, after a long battle with cancer.[1][7] He was 64. He was buried at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice, Illinois, having come from Catholic family roots.[8]
Discography
[edit]Record had several hits after rejoining the Chi-Lites in the early 1980s. With Linda F. Williams, writing under the name L. F. Butler and L. Frances Butler[9] had three releases by The Chi-Lites:
- "You Take the Cake" on the Changing For You album released by the Chi-Lites in 1982.[10]
- "Do What You Want" on the Steppin' Out album released by the Chi-Lites in 1984,[11] and
- "Hard Act to Follow," a single released by the Chi-Lites in the United Kingdom in 1985.[12] This song was also recorded and released by Dutch artist, Nancy Boyd (aka: Nancy Bruinooge) in 1985[13] and again in 1992 on the You Can Always Count on Me album.[14]
He is a co-writer of the 2003 Beyoncé hit record "Crazy in Love", thanks to its sampling of The Chi-Lites' "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)". His writing contributions earned him a Grammy Award.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2005 July To December". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
- ^ Record, Sr., Brian A. (2015). My Father in Lites: A Father's Story from a Son's Perspective. Record Family Music. ISBN 978-0692483077.
- ^ a b c Record, Brian Anthony. (2015). My father in lites : a father's story from a son's perspective. Record, Jerraine Almamie. Gary, IN. ISBN 9780692483077. OCLC 953617850.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ 'Magnetism' Eugene Record www.discogs.com
- ^ "Superstars of 70s Soul Live My Music". prnewswire.com. PR Newswire. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "70s Soul Superstars". pbswesternreserve.org. WNEO - PBS Western Reserve. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
- ^ "Eugene Record". Telegraph.co.uk. 25 July 2005. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ Record, Brian Anthony (2015). My Father in Lites: A Father's Story from a Son's Perspective. Record Family Music Group. ISBN 978-0-692-48307-7.
- ^ "Frances L. Butler". Discogs. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ^ "The Chi-Lites - Changing For You". Discogs. 1983. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
- ^ "The Chi-Lites - Steppin' Out". Discogs. 1984. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
- ^ "The Chi-Lites - Hard Act To Follow". Discogs. 1985. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
- ^ "Nancy Boyd – Do What You Want". Discogs. 1985. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
- ^ "Nancy Boyd – You Can Always Count On Me". Discogs. 1992. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
External links
[edit]
Eugene Record
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family
Eugene Booker Record was born on December 23, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, to parents Booker Record and Bernice Record.[4][5] He spent his early years in a working-class African American neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago, a vibrant yet challenging urban area during the 1940s and 1950s.[6][7] The Record family navigated significant socioeconomic challenges, including limited financial resources and the demands of urban life in post-Depression and wartime America, which instilled a sense of resilience in young Eugene.[6] His father provided for the household through steady but modest labor, while his mother managed the home amid these constraints. The family's circumstances reflected broader struggles faced by many African American families in the city, fostering a strong emphasis on perseverance and community support.[4] Family dynamics played a central role in Record's upbringing, with siblings offering key influences and encouragement. His oldest sister, an accomplished pianist, and another sister, a schoolteacher, contributed to a nurturing environment that valued education and creativity. Regular church attendance introduced him to gospel music early on, embedding spiritual themes and musical rhythms into his daily life within their Christian household.[6] This foundational exposure to faith and family bonds laid the groundwork for his personal development.Musical education and influences
Record developed an early interest in music while growing up on Chicago's South Side. He learned to play the guitar as a young teenager and honed his skills through practice at home. His older sister, a skilled pianist who regularly practiced classical pieces, played a key role in nurturing his musical aptitude by introducing him to music theory fundamentals and encouraging his pursuits. Attending Englewood High School in the late 1950s, Record first explored vocal performance by joining school-based singing groups and participating in local talent events.[8] There, he connected with neighborhood friends who shared his passion for harmony singing, leading to informal jam sessions that evolved into organized rehearsals. These early collaborations marked his initial amateur performances at community gatherings and school functions, blending emerging vocal techniques with rhythmic guitar accompaniment.[9] Record's formative influences drew from Chicago's vibrant music scene, encompassing gospel traditions and secular R&B/doo-wop styles prevalent on local radio stations and in neighborhood clubs. Artists from gospel ensembles and pioneering R&B vocal groups shaped his appreciation for emotive harmonies and storytelling lyrics, which he absorbed through broadcasts and live outings.[10]Career
With The Chi-Lites
Eugene Record co-founded the vocal group initially known as The Hi-Lites in 1959 while attending Hyde Park High School in Chicago, teaming up with fellow students Robert "Squirrel" Lester, Creadel Jones, and Marshall Thompson.[11] The quartet drew from doo-wop traditions, performing at local venues and releasing their debut single, "I'm So Jealous," on the independent Daran label in 1964.[12] By 1964, they rebranded as The Chi-Lites to reflect their Chicago roots and continued issuing singles on regional labels, including a 1964 release on Vee-Jay Records and efforts on Dakar starting with "Price of Love" in 1967, which helped cultivate a dedicated following in the Midwest during the 1960s.[13] The group's fortunes shifted dramatically in 1968 when they signed with Brunswick Records under producer Carl Davis, marking their entry into national prominence.[11] Record emerged as the primary creative force, handling lead vocals, songwriting, and arrangements that fused their doo-wop heritage with smooth soul ballads and intricate falsetto harmonies, defining their signature sound amid the early 1970s R&B landscape.[1] Their breakthrough arrived with the 1971 single "Have You Seen Her," a poignant seven-minute narrative of lost love penned and fronted by Record, which climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart while earning a gold certification for over 1 million copies sold.[14] This was followed by the even bigger "Oh Girl" in 1972, another Record composition that topped the Hot 100 for one week and the R&B chart for two weeks, solidifying their status as soul hitmakers.[15] The Chi-Lites' peak era yielded successive albums that showcased Record's songwriting prowess and the group's harmonious interplay. Their 1971 release, (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People, featuring the title track's socially conscious plea alongside "Have You Seen Her," reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B albums chart and No. 23 on the Billboard 200.[16] The 1973 album A Letter to Myself continued this momentum, peaking at No. 4 on the R&B chart and No. 33 on the Billboard 200, with the introspective title track highlighting their emotional depth and falsetto-driven arrangements.[17] These works, driven by Record's multifaceted contributions, captured the essence of Chicago soul while propelling the group to multiple gold records and widespread acclaim through the early 1970s.[18]Solo work and songwriting
After departing from The Chi-Lites in 1976 to pursue a solo career, Eugene Record signed with Warner Bros. Records, marking a shift toward independent artistic expression while drawing on his experience as the group's primary songwriter and lead vocalist.[1] His debut solo album, The Eugene Record (1977), showcased self-penned soul ballads that emphasized introspective themes of romance and emotional vulnerability, with standout tracks like "Overdose of Joy" and "Laying Beside You" highlighting his smooth falsetto and narrative lyricism.[19] The album received moderate acclaim for its polished production but achieved only limited commercial success, peaking outside the top 50 on the Billboard R&B chart. Record followed with Trying to Get to You (1978), which maintained a soulful core but incorporated subtle disco influences amid the era's trends. His third and final solo effort, Welcome to My Fantasy (1979), ventured further into experimental funk and disco elements, featuring upbeat rhythms and orchestral flourishes on tracks like "Magnetism" and "One More Reason." The album included notable collaborations, such as backing vocals from Barbara Acklin and members of the Andraé Crouch Choir, adding layers of gospel-infused harmony to its dance-oriented sound.[20] Despite critical appreciation for Record's versatility, none of his solo releases matched the chart impact of his Chi-Lites work, leading him to return to group activities by 1980.[21] Beyond his own recordings, Record's songwriting extended to other artists, amassing over 200 credits across soul and R&B genres, often centered on poignant narratives of love, heartbreak, and redemption.[22] A key example is his co-authorship of "Am I the Same Girl" with Sonny Sanders, first recorded by Barbara Acklin in 1968 on Brunswick Records, where it reached No. 91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later gained renewed popularity through samples and covers, including Swing Out Sister's 1990 version. Record also produced material for acts like The Dells, including their 1980 album I Touched a Dream, where he shaped tracks blending classic vocal harmonies with contemporary production to evoke enduring themes of longing and resilience. His contributions underscored a distinctive style that prioritized emotional depth over flash, influencing Chicago soul's storytelling tradition.[8]Later productions and reunions
After departing from The Chi-Lites in 1976 to pursue solo endeavors, Eugene Record rejoined the group in 1980, leading to a series of recordings that blended classic soul harmonies with updated production styles.[23] The reunion debuted with the album Heavenly Body on Chi-Sound Records, featuring Record's lead vocals on the title track, which achieved minor chart success and marked a return to moderate commercial viability for the group.[2] This was followed by Me and You in 1981, also on Chi-Sound, which included the dance-oriented single "Hot on a Thing" that highlighted Record's songwriting and production contributions.[2] The Chi-Lites continued their momentum with Bottom's Up in 1983 on Larc Records, where Record served as producer and arranger alongside Sonny Sanders, incorporating synthesizers and funk elements to modernize their sound on tracks like the title song and "Changing for You," a UK hit.[24] These efforts sustained the group's presence amid label shifts, though chart impact remained limited compared to their 1970s peak. Record's involvement extended to occasional production for other artists during this period, drawing on his Brunswick-era expertise in layered vocals and rhythmic arrangements.[25] Record left The Chi-Lites for the final time in 1988, shifting focus toward gospel music after a spiritual awakening that led him to become a born-again Christian and minister.[23] He produced and released his own gospel album Let Him In in 1998 on Evergreen Records, featuring original compositions like "Just Pray" that reflected his faith-driven transition from secular soul to inspirational themes.[3] In the 1990s, Record lived a quieter life in Chicago, supported by royalties from enduring covers of his songs—such as Nelly's sampling of "The Chi-Lites Theme" and Beyoncé's interpolation of "Are You My Woman?" in "Crazy in Love," for which he received a shared Grammy in 2004.[26] Record made select appearances in the early 2000s, including a reunion with the original Chi-Lites lineup for the 2002 documentary Only the Strong Survive, where they performed classics like "Oh Girl."[26] He also joined the group for a live performance of "Have You Seen Her" at the 2003 PBS special Superstars of '70s Soul, hosted by Patti LaBelle, capturing one of his final onstage moments before retiring from public performances.[27]Personal life
Family and relationships
Record's first marriage was to his high school sweetheart, Sandra Scott, in the early 1960s.[4][28] The union ended in divorce during the 1970s, amid the strains of his burgeoning career with the Chi-Lites, an event that profoundly influenced his songwriting, particularly the 1971 hit "Have You Seen Her," which reflected themes of loss and heartbreak drawn from the separation.[28] He was also married to songwriter Barbara Acklin, with whom he collaborated closely on many compositions.[29] He later married Jacqueline Record, a union that endured until his passing in 2005.[30] Record had five children: Eugene Jr., Bryan (also known as Brian or Jerraine), Michelle, Angela, and Gena.[31][4] Among them, sons Bryan and Eugene Jr. pursued careers in music, with Bryan working as a producer and authoring a biography of his father, My Father in Lites.[32][33] Throughout his career, Record's family provided essential support during extensive tours, helping to ground him amid the demands of the music industry, while his personal experiences with romance and relational challenges permeated the heartfelt themes of love and longing in his compositions.[31] The family resided in the Chicago suburbs, including Hazel Crest, Illinois, where Record maintained strong connections to his extended relatives.[31][1]Health challenges and death
In later years, Eugene Record battled lung cancer, which contributed to a slowdown in his later musical productions and reunions with the Chi-Lites.[33] He underwent treatment for his condition in Chicago. Despite these efforts, he passed away on July 22, 2005, at the age of 64, at his daughter's home in the Chicago suburbs, surrounded by family.[34][35] Funeral services were held in Chicago on July 26, 2005. Record was buried at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Justice, Illinois.[30] His son, Brian A. Record Sr., expressed deep personal loss and tribute through a 2015 biography, My Father in Lites: The Life, Times and Music of Eugene Record, released on the 10th anniversary of his father's death to celebrate his legacy.[33] Chi-Lites co-founder Marshall Thompson shared immediate grief, confirming Record's passing to fans and noting the profound impact of losing the group's lead singer and creative force.Legacy
Cultural impact
Eugene Record's pioneering use of falsetto in soul music helped define the smooth, emotive sound of Chicago soul during the late 1960s and 1970s, blending yearning tenor leads with melodic falsetto flourishes that added emotional depth to ballads like those of The Chi-Lites.[18] His vocal style, characterized by soft-spoken high tenor and half-sung, half-spoken verses, bridged the sentimental street-corner doo-wop traditions of his early career with the funk-infused grooves of Motown and emerging disco influences, contributing significantly to Chicago's musical identity as a hub for innovative R&B.[8][23] Record's songwriting emphasized narrative depth, often weaving poetic tales of urban heartbreak and personal loss that resonated deeply within Black communities amid the social upheavals of the 1970s, as seen in tracks addressing love's fragility and societal pressures.[18] Critics have praised his lyrics for their emotional rawness and sensitivity, portraying vulnerability in relationships while incorporating social consciousness, such as calls for empowerment in "(For God's Sake) Give More Power To The People," which merged militant soul with accessible storytelling.[8][23] This approach not only captured the era's romantic introspection but also elevated soul's lyrical sophistication, influencing the genre's evolution toward more introspective R&B expressions. The enduring cultural resonance of Record's work is evident in its extensive sampling within hip-hop, where elements from Chi-Lites hits like "Have You Seen Her" have been repurposed in over two dozen tracks, including Havoc's "Letter to P" (2009) and The Game's collaborations, preserving his melodic hooks in modern urban narratives.[36] His compositions have also been interpolated and covered by prominent artists, such as MC Hammer's 1990 rendition of "Have You Seen Her" and Beyoncé's Grammy-winning "Crazy in Love" (2003), which sampled his earlier co-write "Are You My Woman?," demonstrating his lasting impact across R&B and hip-hop generations.[8][23] Through these adaptations, Record's themes of longing and resilience continue to echo in contemporary music, underscoring his role in shaping soul's transition into broader cultural dialogues.[18]Awards and recognition
Eugene Record received significant recognition for his songwriting contributions, particularly through the sampling of his work in later hits. In 2004, at the 46th Annual Grammy Awards, he shared the award for Best R&B Song with Beyoncé Knowles, Shawn Carter (Jay-Z), and Rich Harrison for "Crazy in Love," which incorporated elements from the Chi-Lites' 1970 track "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)," earning Record a co-writing credit.[37][38] As the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for the Chi-Lites, Record was honored through the group's inductions into various music halls of fame. The Chi-Lites were inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2000, with Record appearing to accept the Pioneer Award on their behalf.[39] The group received further induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005, shortly after Record's death.[40] Posthumously, the Chi-Lites were inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2013, acknowledging Record's foundational role in their success.[41] The Chi-Lites received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2021, further honoring Record's legacy with the group.[42]Discography
Group albums
The Chi-Lites' group albums, primarily during their Brunswick Records period in the early 1970s, showcased Eugene Record's pivotal roles as lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and co-producer, shaping the group's signature Chicago soul sound with lush harmonies, falsetto leads, and socially conscious themes. Record's contributions extended to engineering aspects, working alongside producer Carl Davis to craft polished, orchestral arrangements that blended doo-wop influences with contemporary R&B.[16][31] Their debut album, Give It Away (Brunswick, 1970), marked the group's breakthrough, peaking at No. 180 on the Billboard 200 and No. 16 on the Top Soul LPs chart. Record co-wrote the title track, a plea for social change that reached No. 88 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, setting the tone for their activist-leaning material. The album's production emphasized tight vocal layering and subtle instrumentation, reflecting Brunswick's in-house sound engineering expertise. It includes covers of Motown hits alongside original material.| Track | Title | Writers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Give It Away | Eugene Record, Carl Davis |
| 2 | Let Me Be the Man My Daddy Was | Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin |
| 3 | My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) | Eugene Record |
| 4 | I Heard It Through the Grapevine | Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong |
| 5 | What'cha Gonna Do? | Eugene Record |
| 6 | 24 Hours of Sadness | Eugene Record, Carl Davis |
| 7 | (There Will Never Be) Any Peace (Till God Is Seated Here) | Eugene Record |
| 8 | You're No Longer Part of Me | Eugene Record |
| 9 | Love Uprising | Eugene Record |
| 10 | I Like Your Lovin' (Do You Like Mine?) | Eugene Record, Carl Davis |
| 11 | You're a Good Girl (But I Wish You Weren't) | Eugene Record |
| Track | Title | Writers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (For God's Sake) Give More Power to the People | Eugene Record |
| 2 | Have You Seen Her | Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin |
| 3 | We Are Neighbors | Eugene Record |
| 4 | Love Bandit | Eugene Record |
| 5 | I Want to Pay You Back (for Loving Me) | Eugene Record |
| 6 | Love Uprising | Eugene Record |
| 7 | Troubles a' Comin' | Eugene Record |
| 8 | You Got Me Walkin' | Eugene Record |
| 9 | What Do I Wish For | Eugene Record |
| 10 | Never Had It So Good | Eugene Record |
| Track | Title | Writers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oh Girl | Eugene Record |
| 2 | Living in the Footsteps of Another Man | Samuel Garner, James Smith |
| 3 | Love Is | Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin |
| 4 | Being in Love | Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin |
| 5 | A Lonely Man | Eugene Record |
| 6 | The Man and the Woman (The Boy and the Girl) | Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye |
| 7 | Ain't Too Much of Nothin' | Eugene Record |
| 8 | Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) | Marvin Gaye, James Nyx Jr. |
| 9 | Tell Me What You Want Me to Do | Eugene Record |
| Track | Title | Writers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad Motor Scooter | Eugene Record |
| 2 | Changing for You | Eugene Record |
| 3 | Touch Me | Eugene Record |
| 4 | Making Love | Eugene Record |
| 5 | Bottom's Up | Eugene Record |
| 6 | I Just Wanna Hold You | Eugene Record |
| 7 | You Take the Cake | Eugene Record |
| 8 | Stop What You're Doin' to Me | Eugene Record |
| Track | Title | Writers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavenly Body | Eugene Record |
| 2 | Strung Out | Carl Davis, Eugene Record |
| 3 | Round & Round | Barbara Acklin, A.L. Thompson |
| 4 | Love Shock | Eugene Record |
| 5 | Have You Seen Her | Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin |
| 6 | All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You | Eugene Record |
| 7 | Bottoms Up | Eugene Record |
| 8 | Happy Being Lonely | Eugene Record |
Solo releases
After departing from the Chi-Lites in 1976 to pursue independent projects, Eugene Record launched his solo recording career with Warner Bros. Records, releasing three albums between 1977 and 1979 that showcased his songwriting, arranging, and production talents.[2] These efforts marked a shift toward more personal expressions of soul and emerging disco influences, though they achieved only modest commercial reception compared to his group work.[3] Record's debut solo album, The Eugene Record (1977, Warner Bros.), featured self-penned tracks blending smooth soul ballads with upbeat funk elements, including the minor R&B hit "Laying Beside You," which peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard R&B chart.[43] Produced and arranged by Record himself, the album highlighted his multifaceted role in the studio, with standout songs like "Overdose of Joy" and a cover of "Here Comes the Sun" demonstrating his versatile vocal range.[19] Despite positive critical notes on its polished Chicago soul sound, the record did not chart significantly on the Billboard 200 and saw limited sales.[2] The follow-up, Trying to Get to You (1978, Warner Bros.), continued Record's self-production approach, mixing introspective ballads with dance-oriented tracks that reflected the era's disco trends.[44] Key singles included the title track and "I Want to Be with You," but neither gained substantial airplay or sales, contributing to the album's underwhelming commercial performance.[2] Over time, it has developed demand among collectors for its raw emotional depth and transitional style between traditional soul and funk.[2] Record's third Warner Bros. release, Welcome to My Fantasy (1979), leaned further into disco-infused soul, with self-produced arrangements emphasizing rhythmic grooves and orchestral flourishes.[45] Notable tracks included "Fan the Fire" and "Where Are You," the latter featuring gospel artist Andre Crouch on backing vocals, adding a layer of spiritual harmony to the mix.[2] The album experienced limited chart success, failing to produce major hits, but earned a niche following for its innovative blend of soulful melodies and upbeat production.[2] Throughout his Warner Bros. period, Record issued several rare singles, such as "Overdose of Joy" (1977), "Magnetism" (1979), and "Trying to Get to You" (1978), which received regional radio play but did not broadly impact charts or sales figures.[3] Post-1980, after rejoining the Chi-Lites, Record's solo output was sparse, limited to the gospel album Let Him In (1998, Evergreen Records), a self-produced collection of faith-based songs with no notable commercial metrics.[2][46] Record's solo works have seen reissues in the 2000s, including Japanese CD editions of The Eugene Record (2000) and Welcome to My Fantasy (2010), which have helped preserve his independent catalog for modern listeners and collectors.[19] Overall, while lacking the blockbuster success of his Chi-Lites era, these releases underscored Record's enduring creative control and influence on soul's evolution.[2]Notable song credits
Eugene Record's songwriting and production contributions extended beyond his primary work with The Chi-Lites, encompassing a range of soul, R&B, and gospel tracks that achieved commercial success and enduring influence. His compositions often featured emotive storytelling and lush arrangements, earning recognition through chart performance and later sampling in contemporary hits. One of his most iconic credits is "Have You Seen Her," co-written with Barbara Acklin in 1971 for The Chi-Lites. The spoken-word soul ballad peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1971 and was certified gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding one million copies in the United States.[47] "Oh Girl," solely written by Record in 1972 and also recorded by The Chi-Lites, became the group's signature hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week in May 1972 and topping the R&B chart as well. The tender breakup ballad earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards in 1973. BMI later ranked it as the 36th most-performed song of the 20th century based on U.S. radio airplay and other performance metrics.[48] Record's external writing credits include contributions to other artists, such as tracks for The Dells in the early 1970s, though specific song-level details like "Whatcha Gonna Do?" from 1970 remain tied to broader production collaborations in Chicago's soul scene. He also handled production duties on gospel recordings, including select tracks for The Thompson Community Singers' albums in the 1980s, blending his R&B sensibilities with spiritual themes during a period of ministry involvement. In total, Record registered over 70 works with BMI, reflecting his prolific output as a songwriter across genres. His compositions have been sampled extensively, notably "Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)" from The Chi-Lites' 1970 repertoire, which provided the horn riff for Beyoncé's 2003 hit "Crazy in Love" featuring Jay-Z, contributing to its diamond certification and cultural ubiquity. "Have You Seen Her" has likewise influenced hip-hop and R&B, appearing in samples by artists like MC Hammer in his 1990 cover version, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.[49][36]| Song | Year | Artist | Role | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Have You Seen Her | 1971 | The Chi-Lites | Co-writer (with Barbara Acklin) | No. 3 Billboard Hot 100; gold certification |
| Oh Girl | 1972 | The Chi-Lites | Writer, producer | No. 1 Billboard Hot 100; Grammy nominee |
| Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So) | 1970 | The Chi-Lites | Writer | Sampled in Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" (2003) |