Biography
Arthur Lee Maye (December 11, 1934, Tuscaloosa, Alabama – July 17, 2002) was an American rhythm & blues singer. He joined with Richard Berry and recorded “The Fine One” b/w “Please Baby Please” as the “5” Hearts on the Flair label (The company put the “5” in quotes as only three sang on the record). They next released “Sweet Thing b/w “Rock Bottom” under the name “The Rams”. Maye also sang the “di-di-di’s” behind Richard Berry & The Pharaohs on the original “Louie Louie.” He was the lead singer for the Los Angeles based doo-wop group Arthur Lee Maye & the Crowns
Maye was also well known as a Major League Baseball player. He played eleven seasons in the majors as an outfielder for the Milwaukee Braves (1959–1965), Houston Astros (1965–1966), Cleveland Indians (1967–1969), Washington Senators (1969–1970), and Chicago White Sox (1970–1971).
Arthur Lee Maye’s dual career began at Los Angeles, California’s Jefferson High school. Here he sang with Jesse Belvin and future members of the Platters, the Penguins, and the Coasters. Maye starred in baseball for both Jefferson High and local semi-pro teams. Milwaukee Braves scout Johnny Moore not only saw his potential as a hitter with line drive power but clocked him in the 100-yard dash at under 10-seconds. Moore convinced the Braves to draft and sign him. Arthur Lee Maye later explained, “Baseball was my first love. I could always sing at fifty, but I couldn’t play baseball at fifty.” He began his professional baseball career in 1954 with a Milwaukee Braves Pioneer League farm team in Boise, Idaho. At this time he also started his professional recording career.
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