Tony Orlando facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tony Orlando
Orlando in 2022
Background information
Birth name	Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis
Born	(1944-04-03) April 3, 1944 (age 81) New York City, U.S.
Genres	Pop/Rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter producer actor
Years active	1958–present
Associated acts	The Five Gents Wind Tony Orlando and Dawn

Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis (born April 3, 1944), known as Tony Orlando, is an American pop and rock singer, songwriter, and music producer. His career has lasted for almost seven decades. He is most famous for being part of the music group Tony Orlando and Dawn.

In 1993, Tony Orlando opened his own theater in Branson, Missouri. He stopped performing there in 2013. Since then, he has continued to perform many live shows, especially in Las Vegas, Nevada. When his song "Candida" became a number-one hit around the world, he started using his name with the group. It became "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando" and then "Tony Orlando and Dawn". The group had 19 other songs that made it into the top 40. This included "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", which was the best-selling song of 1973. It is still one of the biggest selling singles ever. The group also had a popular TV show called The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show on CBS from 1974 to 1976. They broke up in 1977, and Tony Orlando has performed as a solo artist ever since.

Tony Orlando stopped performing on the road in 2024, after 64 years of touring. He now plans to focus on movies, Broadway shows, creating new music online, and writing his next book.

Early Life

Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis was born on April 3, 1944. His father was Greek, and his mother was Puerto Rican. He spent his first few years in New York City. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Union City, New Jersey, and later to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey.

Musical Journey

Starting Out

Tony Orlando's music career began in 1959 when he was 15 years old. He formed a doo-wop group called The Five Gents. They recorded demo tapes, which are like sample recordings. A music producer named Don Kirshner noticed him. Kirshner hired Tony to write songs in an office in New York. Other famous songwriters like Carole King and Neil Sedaka also worked there.

Kirshner also hired Tony Orlando to record song demos as a solo artist. Tony had his first big success at age 16. His songs "Bless You" and "Halfway To Paradise" became hits in North America and the UK. He also performed at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Tony Orlando had other songs that almost made it onto the Hot 100 chart. These included "Chills" in 1962 and "Shirley" in 1963.

Orlando in 1965

Tony Orlando continued as a solo artist. He also became a music producer and a successful music executive in the late 1960s. He worked for a music publishing company called April-Blackwood Music.

By the late 1960s, Tony Orlando became a vice president at CBS Music. He signed and produced music for artists like Barry Manilow. He also worked with other famous groups and singers such as The Yardbirds, James Taylor, and Grateful Dead. In 1969, he recorded with a studio group called Wind. They had a hit song called "Make Believe." Tony Orlando also sang lead on a song called "Candida." The stage name chosen for the group was "Dawn," which was the middle name of a record executive's daughter.

Tony Orlando and Dawn

Performing in 1974 alongside Telma Hopkins

Dancing with First Lady Betty Ford at the White House in 1976

Tony Orlando recorded the song "Candida" with backup singers Toni Wine and Linda November. He did not want his name on the project at first. So, the song was released simply under the name "Dawn."

"Candida" became a worldwide hit in 1970. It reached number one in five countries and was in the top ten in many others, including number three in the United States. Dawn, with Toni Wine and Linda November singing backup again, recorded another song, "Knock Three Times." This song also became a number one hit. Tony Orlando then wanted to go on tour. He asked two other singers, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson, to join the group for the tour. Tony found out that six other groups were using the name "Dawn." So, the group became "Dawn featuring Tony Orlando," and then "Tony Orlando and Dawn" in 1973.

The new group recorded more hit songs. These included "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" (1973) and "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" (1975). With a successful music career, Tony Orlando then wanted to try television. The Tony Orlando and Dawn show on CBS became very popular. It ran for three seasons from 1974 to 1976. The show featured many famous guests, including Tony's childhood heroes, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Lewis.

In 2015, Tony Orlando was honored with an award for his career. Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson were there to celebrate with him.

Later Career

Tony Orlando faced some personal challenges in the 1970s. He battled some personal challenges and depression. In 1977, after the sad passing of his sister and his close friend, comedian Freddie Prinze, Tony Orlando took a break from singing. He took a break for his well-being, but soon returned to television with a special show. After that, he continued as a solo artist. He had two more hit singles: "Don't Let Go" in 1978 and "Sweets for My Sweet" in 1979. In the 1980s, he was a very popular performer in Las Vegas. He performed for sold-out audiences at many hotels.

Tony Orlando continued to perform as a solo singer. He toured and regularly performed in Las Vegas and Branson, Missouri. He also hosted parts of the MDA Labor Day Telethon in New York City from the 1980s to 2011.

In 2020, Tony Orlando started hosting an oldies music program on WABC Radio. Tony Orlando stopped performing on the road in 2024, after 64 years. Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson joined him on stage for his final performances. He is now focusing on movies, Broadway, new online projects, and writing his next book.

Acting Career

Orlando (left) and Freddie Prinze in Chico and the Man (1976)

Tony Orlando's first TV acting role was in 1976 on the series Chico and the Man.

In 1981, Tony Orlando starred in a TV movie called 300 Miles For Stephanie. He played a police officer who promises to walk over 300 miles to a special place. He does this to ask for help to cure his very sick daughter.

In May 1981, Tony Orlando performed on Broadway in the main role of the musical Barnum.

In 2003, Tony Orlando had a repeating role in the children's cartoon series Oswald. He was the voice of a character named "Sammy Starfish."

Tony Orlando also appeared in an episode of MADtv. He was featured in "Larry the Cable Guy's Star Studded Christmas Extravaganza." In 2012, he appeared in the movie That's My Boy with Adam Sandler.

Supporting Veterans

Tony Orlando has always been a strong supporter of U.S. military veterans. His song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" has become a special song for service members.

Tony Orlando is on the board of directors for the Eisenhower Foundation. He is also an honorary chairman for Snowball Express. This organization helps the children of military heroes who have passed away.

He hosts the yearly Congressional Medal of Honor dinner in Dallas. He has also been the host for the Secretary of Defense Freedom Awards at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Personal Life

Tony Orlando met his first wife, Elaine, through Jerry Lee Lewis. Tony and Elaine got married in 1965. They had one child, Jon. They divorced in 1984. Five years later, Tony Orlando got engaged to Francine Amormino. They married on April 29, 1990. They are still married and have one child together.

In 2002, Tony Orlando wrote a book about his life called Halfway to Paradise.

Tony Orlando was raised Catholic. After a difficult period in his life, he became a Christian in 1978.

In 1990, Tony Orlando received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This is a special honor for people in entertainment.

Awards

Tony Orlando has won many awards. He has won the Casino Entertainer of the Year Award. He has also won Best All Around Entertainer – Las Vegas four times. Before that, he won it three times in Atlantic City. He received the Bob Hope Award for excellence in entertainment. This award honors his work for United States veterans. Because of his support for veterans, he was named Honorary Chairman at the 40th Anniversary of the NAM-POW's Homecoming Celebration in 2014.

Music Albums and Songs

Albums

• Bless You and 11 Other Great Hits (1961)
• Make Believe (1969) (with 'Wind')
• Before Dawn (1973)
• Tony Orlando (1978)
• I Got Rhythm (1979)
• Livin' for the Music (1980)
• Halfway to Paradise: The Complete Epic Masters 1961–1964 (2006)
• Bless You (2014)

Solo Songs

• "Pullin' Together" (1980)

See also

In Spanish: Tony Orlando para niños

• List of Puerto Ricans
• Tony Orlando and Dawn
• Tony Orlando and Dawn (TV series)