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Arlene Smith, Lead Singer and Co-Founder of The Chantels, Dies at 84
Arlene Smith, the co-founder and lead singer of The Chantels who wrote and sang lead on the group's 1957 hit "Maybe," has died aged 84. She died on Wednesday of natural causes at a rehabilitation centre in her native New York City, having been in and out of hospital, her friend Matt Beckoff told The Hollywood Reporter.
Smith, born on 5 October 1941, had classical training and performed at Carnegie Hall aged 12 before forming The Chantels with fellow singers from a Bronx church choir. Signed to End Records in 1957, the group's second single, "Maybe," reached No. 15 on the pop chart and No. 2 on the R&B chart, making them one of the first female R&B vocal groups to achieve nationwide success and later earning a place on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time." After her music career, Smith taught elementary school in the Bronx until retirement; she was inducted with the group into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 but never entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In short
- Chantels co-founder and "Maybe" lead singer Arlene Smith dies at 84
- Died of natural causes in New York City on Wednesday
- Group's 1957 hit "Maybe" was a landmark R&B success
Explained simply
Arlene Smith was an American singer who co-founded The Chantels, a vocal group formed in the 1950s from members of a Bronx church choir. She was the lead singer and co-writer of the group's breakthrough hit "Maybe," released in 1957.
The Chantels achieved notable success during a time when few female vocal groups had reached mainstream audiences. "Maybe" became a significant hit on both pop and rhythm-and-blues charts and was later recognised as one of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 greatest songs of all time. The group's pioneering work helped establish the path for female vocal groups that came after them.
Smith had received classical training and performed at Carnegie Hall as a child. After her music career, she worked as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx until her retirement. She and the group were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.