Warren Tipton

Warren F. Tipton (June 12, 1958 – May 9, 2026) was an American R&B and soul singer from Gary, Indiana. He was notably a member of The Chi-Lites, joining in 2018 to serve as the lead & background vocalist on concerts for the group, before leaving in 2023.

Early life Tipton was born on June 12, 1958, to Governor and Mary Tipton. The couple initially resided in Mississippi, but moved to Indiana due to racism after Governor returned home from fighting in World War II. He had seven siblings.

He picked up singing as a child after his mother told him to "find something [he's] good at, [and] don't give up!"

Career Tipton began singing professionally in 1977 at age 18. In 2005, he would accompany the highly influential Philadelphian R&B and soul group The Intruders, performing with them until leaving in 2018. The same year, he joined The Chi-Lites, where he shared the stage with Marshall Thompson. He would accompany the group up until his leave in 2023.

His death was first publicly revealed by the co-founding Chi-Lites member Marshall Thompson in a Facebook post. Tipton's son, Freddie Gibbs, also announced his death the following day in an Instagram post.