Lorraine May Chapman, professionally known as Laurel Lea, was an Australian popular singer of the late 1950s and early 1960s.
11 Facts About Laurel Lea
1.
2.
Laurel Lea was raised in Armidale, New South Wales by Con Lianos and was known as Lorraine Lianos.
3.
Con and his wife ran a travelling performance troupe and Laurel Lea joined them from the age of 15.
4.
Laurel Lea's younger brother Doug was born on c 1946 and performed as a drummer, Little Rock Billy in the early 1960s.
5.
In 1958 Laurel Lea signed with Leedon Records and was promoted by its founder, United States-born Lee Gordon.
6.
Laurel Lea regularly appeared on TV series Bandstand, Saturday Date and Six O'Clock Rock.
7.
Laurel Lea was inspired by Brigitte Bardot, "I used to copy her mannerisms, and the way she opened her eyes and looked up like this".
8.
Laurel Lea returned to the updated Bandstand '76 show now hosted by Daryl Somers for a one off live performance.
9.
Laurel Lea had a band in the 1980s called Chockarock.
10.
Laurel Lea died of leukemia on 31 January 1992 in Camperdown, New South Wales, aged 49.
11.
From 12 October 2003, ABC-TV series, Love Is in the Air, was a five-part documentary on Australian pop music with "Episode 2: She's Leaving Home" describing female pop stars and how many travelled overseas to try to further their careers, Lea was described, "[a]ccomplished television regulars like Laurel Lea had the look, the sound and the talent".