articleThe Brief Arlene Smith, the lead singer of 1950s doo-wop girl group the Chantels died Wednesday in a New York City hospital after a heart attack at 84. Smith emerged at a time when male doo-wop groups dominated the charts, but the Chantels was one of the first Black girl groups to break through nationally. Arlene Smith, the lead singer who helped launch the 1950s doo-wop girl group the Chantels into stardom with their classic "Maybe," died Wednesday in a New York City hospital after a heart attack at 84. She stepped away from performing in the 1970s, earned a master’s degree in education and spent years teaching music in New York City schools before retiring. Dig deeper:The Chantels had additional hits, including "Every Night (I Pray)" and "Look in My Eyes" before Smith left the group.