A classic never goes out of style!
Born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis to a Greek father and a Puerto Rican mother, he was raised in Manhattan’s then-notorious Hell’s Kitchen.
Tony Orlando’s musical career started with The Five Gents, a doo-wop group he formed. His first success came when he recorded the hits Bless You and Halfway To Paradise in 1961. After becoming general manager at Columbia Records, he was tempted back to a recording career when he was asked to record a demo record of Candida. The label liked the demo so much that Tony’s performance was released, under the band name Dawn (named after a record executive’s daughter). After Orlando discovered that there were six touring groups using that name, Dawn became Dawn featuring Tony Orlando (which changed to Tony Orlando and Dawn in 1974).
Joining Tony were Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, and the trio scored a string of #1 hits with Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree, Knock Three Times, and He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You). With a successful recording career, Orlando then set his sights on television which resulted in his highly rated weekly variety series Tony Orlando and Dawn Rainbow Hour on CBS. The popular and successful show ran for four seasons on CBS from 1974 to 1976.
Another great live performance from Tony Orlando & Dawn.
I love it how in the 2nd video he refers to the song as ‘like the national anthem, isn’t it?’
Hi Vinnie, congratulations on your 500th post! Wow, it seems like yesterday when you first unveiled SSC and I’m proud to have been present at its birth.
TO is a very nice choice for your 500th post. I dig it!
Hope the next 500 are as much fun!
What a peachy keen special thrill to hear Tony Orlando and Dawn sing this upbeat heartwarming song on your blog, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” which has become a Great American Classic!
I don’t think anyone can hear this song and keep still. Although the song is far older than Orlando bringing it back to real-life again; American’s took it to the top where it will remain forever by using its significance to tie Yellow Ribbons around, about and onto just about everything to represent our Service Members away from home in harm’s way, while praying for their safe return home.
I am among American’s who have tied Yellow Ribbons around, on a just about everything including the “Old Oak Tree” and praying constantly for safe returns back to America.
Thank you for posting this wonderful video!
How insensitive (and aged) of me; that I forgot to congratulate you on your 500th Milestone posting! So… here goes…WOW! CONGRATULATIONS Vinnie! You do amaze me with all your talents and crafts!
NWBerry,
Thanks for the kind words and hope you enjoy the next 500 posts!
Thelma,
Thanks for the kind words and for being a great part of The SSC community!
NWBerry,
I was holding this video back for the 500th post because I appreciate the song on several levels.
One, I am a fan of Tony Orlando & Dawn and have been a fan for as long as I can remember. So I very much wanted them to have an exhibit at The SSC Museum!
Two, this is one of my favorite songs and I wish they made more songs like this today.
Three, it’s my own little indirect way to honor all our armed forces overseas. It’s my own way of saying we appreciate their work and sacrifice. Though the USA has its share of ingrates, we remember our armed forces!
You’re always most welcome Vinnie Vegas; you deserve all Kudos. You have a wonderful blog in design and it’s filled with much varied, always interesting and educational etc items for all to enjoy.
I wouldn’t miss your next 500 for all the gold at FT Knox! Let’s Roll!
Vinnie Vegas,
I knew why you saved this special one for your 500th SSC Museum Exhibit, once again we are on the same page! I like it! I like it!
Tony Orlando is one of America’s greatest, kindest, most humble gentlemen ever and possibly part of a rather dying breed in so far as we see them so rarely these days in the entertainment industry.
God bless Our Troops, God Bless Tony Orlando & Dawn, God Bless “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” God Bless America and God Bless You Vinnie Vegas!
Me Too!!
Thanks for the kind words!