You all know it. The iconic 1970s hit song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree. But Tony Orlando and Dawn had many popular hits during the 1970s, including Knock Three Times and Candida. Today, while Orlando no longer performs that often with Dawn, which featured Joyce Vincent Wilson and Telma Hopkins, Orlando mostly performs his 135 annual shows solo, often in Las Vegas. His career has spanned more than 60 years as a singer, songwriter and music producer.
On Saturday, Orlando joined the growing list of Star recipients in Union City’s Celia Cruz Park along Bergenline Avenue at 31st Street.
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In 1993, he opened the Tony Orlando Yellow Ribbon Music Theatre in Branson, Missouri, his hometown for many years. He ended his act there in 2013.
Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis was born on April 3, 1944, the son of a Greek father and a Puerto Rican mother. He spent his earliest years in Hell’s Kitchen in Manhattan. During his teenage years, the family moved to Union City and later Hasbrouck Heights.
Orlando is a longtime advocate for U.S. military veterans and “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” has become an anthem for service members.
Orlando serves on the Board of Directors for the Eisenhower Foundation, as well as Honorary Chairman of Snowball Express, an organization that serves the children of fallen military heroes.
He hosts the annual Congressional Medal of Honor dinner in Dallas, Texas. He has served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Secretary of Defense Freedom Awards at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.