Robert Earl

Born in England on 17 November 1926, the ballad singer collected several British chart entries toward the close of the 1950s. After working semi-professionally alongside the orchestras led by Sydney Lipton and Nat Temple, he committed to music full-time in 1950 and became a regular presence on airwaves and screens through shows including the Jack Jackson Show and Off The Record. In 1958 he edged Perry Como out of the UK listing with his own recording of “I May Never Pass This Way Again,” yet later the same year “More Than Ever (Come Prima)” was held below the Top 10 by Malcolm Vaughan. His final chart success arrived with “Wonderful Secret Of Love” the following year. Throughout the 1960s a modest but devoted following remained loyal, and later sporadic discs such as Robert Earl Showcase and Shalom continued to spotlight Jewish standards including “Yaas,” “My Son, My Son” and “Mom-e-le.” A 1991 London cabaret engagement earned warm notices for the “veteran song stylist,” who performed “If I Was A Rich Man” from Fiddler On The Roof alongside other period favourites. His namesake son ranks among Britain’s hundred wealthiest individuals, directs the Hard Rock Café organisation and shares ownership of Planet Hollywood, described as “New York’s newest eating experience,” together with its London counterpart, alongside Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.