Photo courtesy of Yavapai College Performing Arts Center
submitted by Yavapai College Performing Arts Centersubmitted by Yavapai College Performing Arts Center
Yavapai College Performing Arts Center, in cooperation with U.S. Vets/Prescott, presented pop artist Tony Orlando in a Jan. 13 fundraiser.
U.S. Vets/Prescott provides housing, workforce development resources and support for more than 500 local veterans.
With two platinum albums, three gold albums, and 15 Top 40 hits, one of America’s most endearing and enduring stars sung his amazing repertoire of pop music treasures.
A child of Hell’s Kitchen, Orlando began his career singing doo-wop on New York City street corners. His infectious charm and talent for composition soon led him through the heart of pop’s ‘60’s renaissance and its legendary performers.
Rock producer Don Kirschner hired him as a songwriter, where he shared Brill Building offices with the likes of Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Bobby Darin and Simon and Garfunkel.
Orlando was already a successful music executive in the late ‘60s, when he agreed to sing lead on a song called Candida. The song became an international hit in 1970, and Tony Orlando, with his backup group Dawn, began an incredible run that included Top 40 hits like “Knock Three Times, He Don’t Love You”, and 1973’s song of the year, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon (Round the Ole Oak Tree”).
The group’s engaging on-stage chemistry led CBS to create “The Tony Orlando & Dawn Show”, which anchored Wednesday nights on the network from 1974 to 1976.
With a generous spirit that transcends the stage, Orlando has been a frequent champion of worthy causes. He was a longtime performer and host on the “Jerry Lewis’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Labor Day Telethon”.
As Yellow Ribbon became an icon for U.S. soldiers fighting and serving worldwide, Orlando took up their cause, as well. He serves on the board of directors for the Eisenhower Foundation, and is the honorary chair of the Snowball Express, helping the children of fallen soldiers.
