Those who remember “Maybe” from 1958 will remember the haunting voice of lead singer Arlene Smith. What pipes that girl had!
Most black girl groups were influenced by gospel, but these girls had, as their primary influence, classical music and Latin hymns. Arlene even had classical vocal training and had performed at Carnegie Hall by age 12. They were students at St. Anthony of Padua School in The Bronx, which explains their Catholic musical roots.
And who was Richie Barrett in those days? The future producer of legend was then the lead singer of the Valentines, a group now lost in the mists of history. Richie was working at End Records, home of Little Anthony & the Imperials, when he discovered the Chantels. Arlene turned out to be the brains of the group, a gifted songwriter. Richie produced their first two hits in the Fifties.
End Records dropped the girls in 1959, Arlene went solo, and Annette Smith replaced her. This production features Annette with Richie Barrett at the controls.