The Chantels

The Chantels, an American pop music group, were formed in the early 1950s by students at St. Anthony of Padua Church and school in the Bronx. The original members included Arlene Smith, Sonia Goring Wilson, Renée Minus White, Jackie Landry Jackson, and Lois Harris. Influenced by classical music and Latin hymns, the group derived their name from Jane Frances de Chantal. In 1957, they were discovered by Richard Barrett of The Valentines and signed to End Records. Their first single "He's Gone" was released in August 1957, followed by "Maybe", which reached number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B chart in January 1958, selling over a million copies. The group's debut album We Are The Chantels was released later that year but was soon repackaged as The Chantels. After being dropped by End Records in 1959, Arlene Smith pursued a solo career and Lois Harris left for college. Annette Smith replaced Arlene Smith, and the quartet moved to Carlton Records, where they had their second hit with "Look in My Eyes" which went to number 14 in 1961. The group continued to release singles and albums through various labels throughout the 1960s, with Jackie Landry Jackson, Sonia Goring Wilson, and Renée Minus White remaining constants.

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