Arlene Smith, the lead singer and songwriter of the Chantels, has died at 84, leaving behind a legacy that includes one of doo-wop's most enduring hits, 'Maybe.' The quintet, which also included Sonia Goring, Lois Harris, Renée Minus, and Jackie Landry, were barely out of their midteens when they recorded the song in a Manhattan church basement in October 1957. The track, a stately eruption of romantic loss and hunger, showcased the group's soaring harmonies and Smith's raw, pleading lead vocals. It was written by Smith, though her label initially denied her credit - a common practice at the time, because why let pesky songwriting royalties get in the way of a good thing? The label owner took the credit instead.

Released in December, 'Maybe' shot to No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B chart - a performance that, while impressive, was eclipsed by its influence. In a 2016 interview with The Wall Street Journal, Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes recalled hearing 'Maybe' for the first time on her grandmother's Philco radio as a teenager. Spector, who would later score her own girl-group classic with 'Be My Baby' in 1963, knew a good thing when she heard it. Smith's death, on July 29 in the Bronx, was caused by a heart attack, according to her manager and friend, Paul Errante. She was 84.