Tony Orlando & Dawn began their string of hits in 1970. However, Tony had a successful career prior to his incarnation with Dawn. He was born Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis on April 3, 1944 in Manhattan, New York. And at age 16 he was discovered by producer and publisher Don Kirshner.His first hit single was Halfway To Paradise, followed by Bless You, both Top 40 hits. In 1967 he bacame manager of April-Blackwood Music Publishing; and in 1969, he sang lead vocal for a studio production known as Wind, and they had a hit with the song Make Believe.
In 1970 he formed Dawn, which featured session singers Toni Wine and Ellie Greenwich. In 1971 a permanment Dawn consisted of session singers Thelma Hopkins from Louisville, Kentucky and Joyce Vincent from Detroit, Michigan.
As Dawn they had 21 appearances on the Billboard chart between 1970 and 1979, including 6 Top Ten hits, 3 Number One songs and 5 Gold Records. An amazing feat, considering this was the third phase of his career.
This week on Treasure Island Oldies, Voice Your Choice features Tony Orlando & Dawn with Knock Three Times and Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree.
Make your preference known. Come to the Voice Your Choice page and make your selection. We'll play the winning song in Hour 3 of this week's show.
