Creadel “Red” Jones Net Worth

What Is Creadel “Red” Jones Net Worth

Creadel “Red” Jones, an American singer and bass vocalist, had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of his death. He was a founding member of the renowned R&B/soul vocal group The Chi-Lites. Jones was born on September 26, 1940, in Chicago, Illinois, and he passed away on August 25, 1994. His deep bass voice became a trademark of the group, contributing significantly to their signature sound.

Early Life and Career Beginnings of Creadel “Red” Jones

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago during the 1940s and 1950s, Creadel “Red” Jones experienced the city’s vibrant cultural landscape, a hub for blues, jazz, gospel, and emerging R&B music. Growing up in a working-class family, he found solace and inspiration in the music from local churches and community groups. His mother’s involvement in church choirs nurtured his early interest in singing. Jones’s professional journey began in his teens when he formed vocal ensembles with friends, performing at local high schools and community centers. These early performances helped him hone his stage presence and refine his signature deep bass lines. He attended Hyde Park High School in Chicago where The Chi-Lites were formed. Before achieving fame, Jones sang with doo-wop groups on the streets of Chicago’s South Side, where his bass voice drew small crowds. Some suggest his nickname “Red” reflected his lively personality rather than his hair color.

Creadel “Red” Jones’s Contribution to The Chi-Lites

Creadel “Red” Jones was a member of The Chi-Lites from its formation in 1959 until 1973, and then again from 1980 to 1982. The group, originally known as the Chanteurs, later became the Hi-Lites before settling on the name The Chi-Lites in 1964, a tribute to their hometown of Chicago. Jones’s bass voice was a crucial element of the group’s sound. The Chi-Lites experienced their greatest fame in the early 1970s, led by Eugene Record. They achieved eleven Top Ten R&B hits between 1969 and 1974. The group also charted 21 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Chart, achieving hits in various countries including the U.S., UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia.

The Chi-Lites’s debut studio album, “Give It Away,” was released in 1969. Their 1972 album, “A Lonely Man,” reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #5 on the Billboard 200 chart. “Have You Seen Her” and “Oh Girl” both reached #1 on the US R&B chart. “Oh Girl” also reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Both “Have You Seen Her” and “Oh Girl” each sold over one million copies and were awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. The Chi-Lites released more than 15 studio albums. Their recordings have been sampled by artists such as Jay-Z, K. Michelle, Fantasia, and Beyoncé, who sampled The Chi-Lites to create her Grammy-winning song “Crazy In Love”.

Later Career and Legacy

Although the late 1970s and early 1980s brought changing music trends with the rise of disco, funk, and hip-hop, The Chi-Lites’s classic hits maintained their popularity, inspiring tributes and covers by younger artists. Jones left the group in 1973, being replaced by Stanley Anderson, Willie Kinsey, and Doc Roberson in quick succession. In 1980, Jones rejoined The Chi-Lites alongside Eugene Record and Robert “Squirrel” Lester. He departed again in 1982, after which the group continued as a trio. Even decades after Jones’s death, the continuing popularity of The Chi-Lites has kept his name relevant among influential R&B legends. The Chi-Lites were inducted into the R&B Music Hall of Fame. On September 30, 2021, The Chi-Lites received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On April 26, 2024, The Chi-Lites, along with Dionne Warwick, were inducted into the Atlantic City Walk of Fame at Brighton Park.

While specific details about Creadel “Red” Jones’s assets and financial dealings, such as real estate holdings, car collection, or investment portfolio, are not publicly available, his $500,000 net worth primarily stemmed from his music career with The Chi-Lites.