The Chantels facts for kids

The Chantels were a popular pop music group from the United States. They were one of the first successful African-American girl groups in the country. The group began in the early 1950s. They were students at St. Anthony of Padua Church and school in the Bronx, New York.

The original five members were Arlene Smith (who sang lead), Sonia Goring Wilson, Renée Minus White, Jackie Landry Jackson, and Lois Harris. They chose their name from a saint named Jane Frances de Chantal.

The Chantels' Music Career

In 1957, the Chantels were still in high school. They had been singing together for several years. Unlike some groups who were inspired by gospel music, the Chantels loved classical music and Latin hymns. Arlene Smith, the lead singer, had even studied classical music. She performed at Carnegie Hall when she was only 12 years old. Arlene also wrote the songs for the group.

A singer named Richard Barrett discovered the girls. By the summer of 1957, they signed a contract with End Records. Their first song, "He's Gone," came out in August 1957. Arlene Smith wrote it.

Their First Big Hit: "Maybe"

In December 1957, their second song, "Maybe," became a huge hit. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also hit number 2 on the R&B chart. "Maybe" sold over a million copies! This earned them a gold record. Their next songs were not as successful. End Records released an album called We Are the Chantels.

The group left End Records in 1959. Arlene Smith started a solo career. Lois Harris left to go to college.

New Members and More Hits

In 1960, Annette Smith joined the group, replacing Arlene. The group, now a quartet, moved to Carlton Records. There, they had another big hit called "Look in My Eyes." It reached number 14 on the pop chart and number 6 on the R&B chart. Other songs on Carlton Records did not do as well. One song, "Well I Told You," was a response to Ray Charles's song "Hit the Road, Jack."

The Chantels changed record labels a few more times in the 1960s. The main members who stayed with the group were Jackie Landry, Sonia Goring, and Renee Minus. In 1970, these three, along with Arlene Smith, recorded one more song for RCA.

Later Years and Recognition

Arlene Smith also led a new group called Chantels in the 1970s. In 1995, the original Chantels members who were still together reformed. They brought in a new lead singer, Noemi (Ami) Ortiz.

In a TV special called Doo Wop 50, Arlene Smith sang with the original Chantels members. They dedicated their song "Maybe" to Jackie Landry, who had passed away in 1997.

The Chantels were honored in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002. They were also nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. They were nominated again in 2009 and were inducted into the Hall in 2010.

The Chantels' Music

Albums

• We Are the Chantels (1958)
• There's Our Song Again (1961)
• The Chantels on Tour (1962)

Popular Songs (Singles)

• "He's Gone" (1957)
• "Maybe" (1958) - Their biggest hit!
• "Every Night (I Pray)" (1958)
• "I Love You So" (1958)
• "Summer's Love" (1959)
• "Look in My Eyes" (1961) - Another big hit!
• "Well I Told You" (1961)
• "Eternally" (1963)

See also

In Spanish: The Chantels para niños