TONY ORLANDO AND DAWN – This musical variety series filled a real need for CBS after Sonny and Cher’s show went off the air in May of 1974 due to their divorce. The network couldn’t believe their luck when Tony Orlando and Dawn, riding near the top of the charts and possessing a non-threatening charm, were then available.
Songs, comedy and celebrity guests filled the hour-long program just like on Sonny & Cher. Again like Sonny & Cher, Tony Orlando and his backup singers Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent – collectively called Dawn – could exchange comical insults to liven things up.
Obviously, the trio’s singing act is still fairly well known, but I’m often surprised that many people have forgotten about their 56-episode television show. If you’ve never heard of this act, the name “Dawn” was originally the entire group name as a means for Tony Orlando to do a single outside of his current recording contract.
Orlando used an assumed name at first, with varying numbers of all-male performers credited as the other members of Dawn. In fact, so many names were used that there is probably an early incarnation of Dawn that lists ME as a member.
At any rate, the truth needed told when eventually a tour for Dawn was put together with Tony Orlando finessing the use of his own name and with Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent singing with him. The deceptive phone book sized credits for Dawn became a thing of the past.
Hit followed hit, and a very young me heard my mother and father’s Tony Orlando and Dawn albums played so often that I can STILL sing every damn word to songs like Candida, Knock Three Times, Steppin’ Out, Sweet Gypsy Rose, Who’s in the Strawberry Patch with Sally?, What Are You Doing Sunday? and of course, their signature song Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.
Among the television show’s regulars in the comedy sketches was one Alice Nunn, the future “Large Marge” herself from Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. Alice appeared in 44 episodes. The first episode of Tony Orlando and Dawn aired on July 3rd, 1974 and the final episode on December 28th, 1976.
For a dose of nostalgia check out some of the guest stars:
SEASON ONE – Loretta Swit, Telly Savalas, Jackie Gleason, Kate Smith, Danny Thomas, Ted Knight, Art Carney, Andy Griffith, Demond Wilson and Charo.
SEASON TWO – Hal Linden, Stiller & Meara, Roy Clark, Ruth Buzzi, Dom Deluise, Barbara Eden, Freddie Prinze, Adrienne Barbeau, Neil Sedaka, Tony Randall and Carrol O’Connor.
SEASON THREE – Jerry Lewis, Alice Cooper, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Bernadette Peters, Sly and the Family Stone, Soupy Sales, The Bay City Rollers and Johnny Cash.
FOR MORE FORGOTTEN TELEVISION CLICK HERE.
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Logged, thank you sir!
Great reviews of forgotten television series. I have never heard about “Tony Orlando and Dawn” but the series definitely does sound interesting to me. It reminds me a lot of great musical movies which I have seen. For instance, the musical group reminded me a lot of The Beatles. The Beatles were formed amid the 1960’s and were very popular throughout the 1970’s, which is the time this television series aired. I am a huge fan of the Beatles and consider them to be the greatest band of all-time. There are several great movies that have been made about the band. For instance, “Nowhere Boy” is a great biopic that tells the true story of John Lennon and his rise to stardom. A fantastic film that celebrates the legacy of the famous musician. If you’re a Beatles fan, it’s definitely worth watching.
Here’s why I recommend it strongly:
Thank you! Your Nowhere Boy review is great!
I grew up on his music and remember watching his show with my Dad.
Knock Three Times is still one of my favorites.
Great! They had a lot of memorable hits!
Yes they do. It’s to bad that they are underrated.
I agree!
I loved “Tony Orlando and Dawn;” thanks for the post.
Glad to do it! Thanks for commenting!
You are very welcome.
😀
I think it was famous trio’s 65 episode of telivision series. Well shared. You always bring so old things so that people can memories all.
Thank you so much for saying so!
👍
Yep!
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Fantastic! Do you feel like providing the link?
He has bought my book. You can read it from my current story Tuhin ( in comments section 😁😁)
Okay, will do!
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Wow, that third one took a goofy turn.
Ah. The 70s. Grand times. And we didn’t realize it.
You said it, Espy!
Those songs! They certainly bring back memories.
Gwen.
They certainly do!