Growing up in Philadelphia, but moving to the Bronx as a teen, Larry Chance knew the street corner sounds of each city intimately.

Philly was more soulful, while New York had what he called a lighter touch, ala Dion and the Regents.

When he put a group together, Chance pulled from both approaches, but also wanted a unique sound.

His signature sound featured intricate background vocals, often with nonsense syllables.

"If I had horns, these would have been the figures I would have wanted the horns to play," said Chance, lead singer for the Earls, which sing at 7 p.m. Friday at Sharon High School

Chance went to school in Philadelphia with Fabian, Frankie Avalon and Chubby Checker -- who sat in front of Chance in home room -- but formed the Earls in May 1957 at Evander Childs High School in the Bronx.