All five of the Chantels started their musical journey at St. Anthony of Padua school in the Bronx, where they'd been singing together since the second grade. Classically trained, they were adept at Gregorian chants and traditional Christian hymns; indeed, lead Arlene Smith had performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of twelve. By 1956, the quintet had begun performing at church and community events and sharing the stage with doo-wop pioneers like of 'Gee' fame.
Jorma Vik
When the group ran into another group, The Valentines, lead Valentine Richard Barrett was so impressed with their talent he offered them a session on the spot. Barrett, also an A&R man at Roulette Records, eventually made good on his promise, recording two songs written by lead singer Arlene on her home piano: 'The Plea' and 'He's Gone.'
The latter was the a-side, and while it made the Hot 100, the group's real success came with the next release, Arlene's 'Maybe.' An instant classic, the song almost singlehandedly created the 'girl group' sound with its plaintive and dramatic delivery. The followups 'Every Night (I Pray)' and 'I Love You So' also charted. But the girls were too young to tour, and as a result the label promotion - and therefore the hits - soon fell off.
By 1959 Arlene had left for a solo career, while Lois Harris dropped out to become a nurse. Undaunted, Richard Barrett first replaced Arlene's lead with his own vocals, and then with Annette Smith, from fellow vocal group The Veneers. With the real girl group craze just starting, the Chantels managed to keep scoring minor chart hits through 1961, but though they recorded throughout the decade, their hitmaking days were over.
Smith led a new group of Chantels during the oldies revival in 1973; today, the other original members (minus Landry, who succumbed to cancer in 1997) tour with new lead Ami Ortiz.
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