# Arlene Smith, Lead Singer of 1950s Group The Chantels, Dies

Arlene Smith, the lead vocalist of the all-female doo-wop group The Chantels, has died. She was known for the hit "Maybe" and helped shape the early rock and R&B sound. Her vocal style influenced generations of pop and soul singers.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### Entertainment
- [The Guardian Culture](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/06/arlene-smith-obituary) — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:37:48 GMT