Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.” Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots. She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.
He has a handful of hits and knows how to rock the crowd. Check out why Tony Orlando is loving the Valley of the Sun.
He’s the charming and kind 67-year old that’s been in the music biz since 15 years old. His name: Tony Orlando, and he’s gracing Valley crowds with his hits over this 9/11 weekend.But before sharing the details on his Phoenix area performances, I got the chance to sit down with Tony and learn about his life as a musical legend.
The entertainer is from New York, and kicked off his career alongside Carole King, Paul Simon, and Neil Diamond. Yep, the group of now-famous singers started as kids in a little office, showing off their singing skills to one another.
“We grew up together—they’re like family. Plus, we all ended up doing fairly well,” said Tony Orlando, one of America’s most enduring stars.
Tony reached stardom at quite an impressive age. At 15, he became the first person to sign with Epic Records, the label that later took on Michael Jackson. His first hit was Halfway to Paradise, written by his pal, Carole King.
“It was also her first hit as a writer,” he said.
And that was just the beginning for the young musician. A guy named Clyde Davis hired Tony to work at the CBS Music Division, and at 23 years old, Tony became the youngest Vice President for CBS-Records, heading their April-Blackwell music label.
“You just have to hope the gods are looking out for you…and they did for me.”
Tony then released his first album titled Candida, and it became an instant hit. As luck would have it, the song kept creeping up ‘til it reached #1 on the charts.
“It was crazy—a dream come true.”
Candida’s success was followed by five #1 hits and 23 top ten records. One of his hottest songs was Knock Three Times—it became the top song of 1971, selling over six million copies nationwide.
“The song was also featured in the hit movie Now and Then.”
But it was in 1973 when Tony recorded quite the emotional hit: Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree. The song was written by his two buddies, but it was Tony’s magnetic voice that made this particular music touch people’s souls. Originally, he says the song was about a guy getting released from prison, not knowing what to expect when he returned home. The lyrics illustrate the man asking his lady to tie a yellow ribbon around an oak tree if she was still interested in loving him...and at the song’s conclusion, the man arrives home to a hundred yellow ribbons, rather than one.
“It’s a story about love and forgiveness.”
And this musical story quickly became about our veterans--our heroes returning home hoping their love was still in love. The song inspired Tony’s passion for wounded warriors, and those experiencing post-traumatic stress after fighting overseas.
“They need to be loved and embraced.”
And love is surely something this guy knows how to give. Tony’s been happily married more than 20 years, and claims the key to a successful relationship is never going to bed angry.
“Always solve your problems before you lay on your pillow—that’s my two cents.”
He’s also a loving father of two, but makes time to do 160+ concerts a year. And that’s not all. In 2012 you can catch Tony on the big screen alongside Adam Sandler, in Sandler’s first R-rated comedy, “Donny’s Boy.”
While Tony calls Branson, Missouri home, he decided to spend the significant 9/11 weekend in the Valley. You can catch him at a Patriot Day kick-off event tonight, Friday September 9th at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, or Saturday September 10th at Paseo Highlands Park for Phoenix’s 3rd Annual Patriot Day Celebration. Saturday’s concert costs a mere $9.11.
For more information, visit www.patriotdayaz.org.
www.facebook.com/onthescenewithnadine
