 Tony Orlando In conjunction with his backing duo Dawn, singer Tony Orlando was one of the biggest pop stars of the early 1970s, best remembered for the mammoth hit "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree."
Born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis in New York City on April 3, 1944, he entered the music business at the age of 16 following a successful audition for producer Don Kirshner. Orlando's first hit, 1961's "Halfway to Paradise," was written for him by Carole King, who also authored the Top 20 follow-up, "Bless You."
In early 1970, Orlando received a call from Bell Records producer Hank Medress requesting that he lay down a lead vocal over a demo recorded by a Detroit-based act called Dawn. According to legend, Orlando never even met either singer until well after the record, "Candida," became a massive hit, rising to number three on the singles charts.
Orlando quickly agreed to cut another record with Dawn, nonetheless adamantly insisting on keeping his day job; titled "Knock Three Times," the single topped the charts in early 1971, and finally he returned to music full-time, signing with Bell and going on tour with Hopkins and Vincent under the banner of Dawn, Featuring Tony Orlando. Released in 1973, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" became Orlando's biggest hit yet, and was named the top-selling single of the year.
In July 1977, Orlando -- reeling from the recent deaths of his sister and his close friend Freddie Prinze, as well as mounting drug problems -- announced his retirement, giving up showbiz in the name of Christianity.
Orlando's retirement proved short-lived, and just four months later he made a solo comeback in Las Vegas. In 1988, he became the latest in a long line of celebrities to open a theater in the tourist community of Branson, Missouri, founding the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Music Theater with the promise to play some 200 dates there annually. -- Jason Ankeny, All-Music Guide
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