LIFE IS BUT A DREAM, The Earls, (Rare) (Rome #101) 1961

LIFE IS BUT A DREAM, The Earls, (Rare) (Rome #101) 1961 Flipside: IT’S YOU – Here is another really great cover song from my music collection. This is the 1st press (red label) of “LIFE IS BUT A DREAM”. Its value was $150.00 23 years ago. The 2nd press is (maroon label) same record #, $40.00. Larry Chance was born on October 19, 1940. He is an American musical artist and the lead singer of the popular 1960s doo-wop group ‘Larry Chance and the Earls', originally known as The Earls. He was born Larry Figueiredo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the same neighborhood and shared the same showbusiness roots as these talented artists: Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Mario Lanza, Danny & the Juniors, Joey Bishop, David Brenner, and many more. In 1955 he moved to the Bronx, New York and saw vocal groups on every street corner! By 1957 he formed his first group with his friends they named The Hi-Hatters. They were eventually rechristened ‘The Earls’, and Larry’s last name (Figueiredo) was changed to Chance after the Chance record label. The group members were Larry Chance, Bob Del Din, Eddie Harder, John Wray and Larry Palombo. By 1960 the group had evolved into what would then be called "The Earls". Later in 1961, The Earls lost original member Larry Palombo in an Army skydiving accident when his parachute failed to open during an exercise. One of The Earls’ cover songs “I BELIEVE” (Old Town #1149) 1963, is dedicated to the late Larry Palombo by Larry Chance in “EVERY” live performance! The Earls’ very first recording was this upload of “LIFE IS BUT A DREAM”. The Earls would only have one song charted nationally on Billboard, their signature song “REMEMBER THEN” (Old Town #1130) 1962. It charted on Billboard in January 1963 for 9 weeks and reached #24, a giant hit for The Earls! Through the years, the original members of The Earls would move on to do other things. In 1964, Larry Chance recorded solo “LET THEM TALK” (Barry #110). In 1989 (WOW! 33 years ago), Larry Chance & The Earls performed in one of my shows that was held at Harrah’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey on December 15 and 16. The show was titled “Ron O’Brien’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Holiday Special”. Also appearing in that show was Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, The Impalas and The Tymes. It was a “FABULOUS” show, great memories! “LIFE IS BUT A DREAM” was originally recorded by The Harptones (Paradise #101) 1955 and written by their mentor and leader the late great Raoul Cita. The song has been covered by many artists, Johnny Maestro/Brooklyn Bridge, The Tokens, The Shells, The Platinums, The El Sierros, The Darchaes (with Nicky Addeo singing lead). Larry still performs today as Larry Chance & The Earls. For more bio information and the group’s performance schedule, check out their website: https://www.larrychanceandtheearls.com/ Enjoy this really great up-tempo cover version of “LIFE IS BUT A DREAM” by one of the great lead voices of our time, Larry Chance!

Added 9 Sept 2026