Arlene Smith, Lead Singer and Co-Founder of The Chantels, Dies at 84

Arlene Smith, an original member of The Chantels who wrote and sang the lead on the R&B girl group’s classic 1957 hit, “Maybe,” has died. Smith died Wednesday of natural causes in a hospital in her hometown of New York City, her friend Matt Beckoff told The Hollywood Reporter. From left: Sonia Goring, Renée Minus, Arlene Smith and Jackie Landry (seated) of The Chantels in 1957 in New York City. In the 1970s, Smith fronted a group called Chantels that featured Carol Douglas (who would have a disco hit with “Doctor’s Orders”) and Louise Bethune. The Chantels were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and made to the final ballot for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and 2009 without moving forward.