Rock's First Diva
by Steven Hager
EPUB ISBN 978-1-4659-3707-0
copyright 2012 by Steven Hager
Published by Steven Hager at Smashwords
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
The Savoy Ballroom stands next to a vacant lot on the corner of 149th Street in the South Bronx. This once-elegant building, the victim of years of neglect and disrepair, retains a sense of dignity despite its rundown appearance. The big bands don't come here anymore and neither do the Lindy Hoppers. In fact, it's hard to predict what will be playing the Savoy these days. Last week it was Dougie Fresh and the Crash Crew (two well-known rap acts). This week it's Arlene Smith and the Chantels.
There's only one problem: the teenager guarding the entrance has never heard of Arlene Smith.
"Nope," he says while adjusting a pair of sparkling white gloves. "I don't believe she's here. Maybe in the upstairs room."
We march up two flights of stairs and confront another, more elderly doorman, who seems familiar with the name. "Is she here tonight?" he wonders. "I don't know. Ask the band."
"Maybe you have the wrong Savoy," says the teenager. "You know, there's another one downtown."
We approach a long table, where three middle-aged women are seated, wearing red dresses with identical corsages. They are the representatives of the Tender Passion Social Club—the official organizers of tonight's event. "Yes," says one in a high, squeaky voice. "Arlene Smith is here. That'll be $15, please."
Inside, the ballroom, set up with tables and folding chairs, is less than half-filled. Everyone is middle-aged, black and very conservatively dressed. Most of the men are wearing ties and sport coats. It feels more like a Baptist social gathering in Alabama than a Saturday night-out in the wild and wooly South Bronx. A five-piece band steps out of the wings and starts warming up. Before the show can commence, however, the six members of the Tender Passion Social Club are individually introduced and each one gets a hearty ovation.
The band leader approaches the microphone. "You're listening to Sammy Gordon and the Hip Huggers," he says. "Have we got a dynamite show for you tonight?! Are you ready?! Are you ready for THE GREATEST VOICE IN THE HISTORY OF ROCK'N'ROLL?!!! Then put your hands together for Arlene Smith and the Chantels!!"
The applause is somewhat lackluster. This is not a rock'n'roll audience and many people here seemed more concerned with table-hopping and socializing than with what is about to happen on stage.
Three women in flowing, sequined gowns make a grand entrance from stage left. Arlene leads the way. Although she's put on some weight since her professional debut in 1957—at age 15—her face remains youthful and unmistakeable. Some hardcore fans flock to the front of the stage. "Maybe! Maybe!" they shout, a reference to Arlene's biggest hit.
"Thank you," says Arlene. "It's a pleasure to be here, back in the Bronx, in my own backyard."
Arlene makes a motion with her arm and the group launches into "I Love You So." It wasn't their biggest seller, but the song remains one of the greatest ever by the Chantels. Arlene's voice soars to a register that seems all her own. Meanwhile, a profound change comes over Arlene. While she appeared somewhat nervous and tentative during her speech, now she is confident and commanding, her hands carve graceful patterns in the air. Her voice retains the clarity and overwhelming power that once led a Rolling Stone reviewer to write: "Arlene sounds like 20 Arethas (and I dig Aretha), 80 Dionne Warwicks and 300 of anybody else you can name."