Smith, Arlene (1941–)

views updated

Smith, Arlene (1941–)

American singer. Name variations: The Chantels. Born Oct 5, 1941, in New York.

Sang with Lois Harris, Sonia Goring, Jackie Landry and Rene Minus in their Bronx, NY, parochial school choir, then became lead singer for their group The Chantels (1956), one of 1st and most well-received girl groups; released album We Are the Chantels (1958); left Chantels for solo career; reformed the group with new members (early 1970s); appeared with original group in reunion performances (1990s). Chantels biggest hit was "Maybe" (1958).