阿琳·史密斯（Arlene Smith）于周三因心脏病发作在纽约市医院去世，享年84岁。[1]作为1950年代先锋女性乐队The Chantels的主唱和联合创始人，[1]史密斯与乐队共同创作并演唱的1958年经典歌曲《Maybe》打破了当时男性主导的摇滚乐领域的局面，为后来一波女性乐队的成功奠定了基础。[1]
《Maybe》发行后进入前20名榜单，最终销售超过100万张。[1]Rolling Stone在2003年将其列为500首最佳歌曲中的第199名。[1]史密斯和The Chantels于2002年入选Vocal Group Hall of Fame。[1]谈及自己的音乐事业，史密斯曾表示："我的想法是，男孩们不是唯一能做这事的人"。[1]
史密斯于1959年左右离开乐队，后来获得教育学硕士学位，在纽约市教授小学音乐。[1]The Chantels在1950年代初作为高中生或更年轻时开始在唱诗班中表演。[1]
Arlene Smith, the co-founder and lead singer of the Chantels, died Wednesday at a hospital in New York City from a heart attack at the age of 84.[1] As a Black female artist, Smith co-wrote and performed "Maybe" with the group in 1958, a classic that broke through the male-dominated rock music landscape of the era and paved the way for subsequent waves of successful female groups.[1] The song reached the top 20 and went on to sell more than one million copies.[1]
Smith's work with the Chantels earned lasting recognition in music history.[1] The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002, and Rolling Stone ranked "Maybe" at number 199 on its 2003 list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.[1] Reflecting on her groundbreaking role, Smith once said: "My idea was that boys are not the only ones who can do this."[1]
The Chantels began performing in their high school choir or earlier during the 1950s.[1] Smith left the group around 1959 and pursued further education, eventually earning a master's degree in education.[1] She went on to teach elementary school music in New York City.[1]