Larry Chance obit

Doo-wop icon, Larry Chance, dies

He was not on the list.

MONTICELLO – Long-time Sullivan County resident Larry Chance of Larry Chance and the Earls, a popular 1960s doo-wop group, died on Wednesday, according to posts on the Larry Chance and the Earls Fan Club Facebook page.

He was 82.

He was a resident of Monticello after living in Liberty for years.

Chance was born Larry Figueiredo in Philadelphia. He formed The Hi-Hatters singing group when he later moved to the Bronx and later changed his last name as well as the name of the group.

In 1962, the Earls had a hit single, “Remember Then.” Their recording success continued with hits like “Never,” “Life is But a Dream,” and “I Believe.”

he group was eventually rechristened The Earls and Figueiredo changed his last name to Chance, after the record label. In 1962, the Earls' single "Remember Then" was a national hit. Other records entered the charts, including "Never" (top 5 on the local New York charts), "Life Is But a Dream" (top 10 on the local New York charts), and "I Believe", considered an East Coast classic. Other recordings include "Looking For My Baby" and "Kissing". Albums include "Remember Me Baby", "The Earls: Today", "The Earls – LIVE", "Earl Change", and "Streets of the Bronx".

Chance also had a short-lived solo career in the late 1960s, but as the oldies revival scene started a strong run in the early 1970s and 1980s, the Earls became one of the most requested groups in the doo-wop genre and Chance returned to the group. They continue to perform actively and remain popular on the oldies circuit.

Chance was diagnosed with cancer in 2000, but went successfully through chemotherapy. He performed at the 2001 DOO WOP special in Pittsburgh, and told his fans about his experiences with his illness, before he sang "I Believe".