He was part of the original Chi-Lites line-up when the group (then named 'The Hi-Lites') were first formed in 1960 from two Chicago groups — The Desideros and The Chantours (Lester had been a member of the latter).
Lester participated in the initial formation of the Chi-Lites, which began in 1960 by combining members from two Chicago groups — The Desideros and The Chantours (Lester was part of the latter).