Departures of note

Arlene Smith was born on October 5, 1941, in the Bronx, New York. She received classical vocal training and performed at Carnegie Hall at age twelve, later channeling her talent into the formation of the Chantels while still in high school. The group, formed with friends from St. Anthony of Padua Church, became one of the first African‑American girl groups to achieve nationwide success.

As the lead vocalist, Smith co‑wrote and sang on the Chantels' breakthrough single “Maybe,” released in December 1957. The song reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart, selling over a million copies and earning a gold disc. Her clear, emotive voice helped define the early girl‑group sound and influenced later acts in the genre.

After the Chantels' initial success, Smith pursued a solo career in the early 1960s, while the group continued with new members. She remained a respected figure in the music community, occasionally appearing in revival concerts and being honored for her contributions to early rock‑and‑roll and doo‑wop. Smith died on July 29, 2026, at the age of 84, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female voice in American popular music.