Tony Orlando & Dawn

Tony Orlando (Michael Anthony Orlando Cassivitis) was born on this day in 1944 in New York City. He formed Dawn with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson. The trio was together from 1970 to 1977. The group’s biggest hit was 1973’s Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree, and it topped Billboard’s Hot 100 for four weeks. The group had the first multi-ethnic variety show on TV. The biggest names in show business appeared each week as Tony’s guests, including the comedians Jackie Gleason, Ted Knight, and Jerry Lewis.

Below are clips from the show and live performances.

Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round Ole Oak Tree

Sweet Gypsy Rose

Knock Three Times

I’m a Woman

I’ll Teach You Everything I Know (with Jackie Gleason)

Little Ones Out of Big Ones (with Johnny Cash)