70's Hitmaker Tony Orlando to Perform at Trump Inauguration Gala

Billboard reports that Tony Orlando, best known for his 1970's hit "Tie a Yellow Ribbon round the Ole Oak Tree" will be among the performers at galas taking place around Washington on the night of Donald Trump's inauguration.

Orlando will perform at Friday night's Salute to Our Armed Services Ball, a free event by invitation only for members and veterans of the armed services and their families. The concert will take place at the National Building Museum. Two other events, called Liberty and Freedom: The Official Presidential Inaugural Balls, will be held Friday at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Tony Orlando had songs on the charts in 1961 when he was 16, "Halfway to Paradise" and "Bless You". Orlando then became a producer himself, and at an early age was promoted to a vice-president position at CBS Records, where he was in charge of the April-Blackwood Music division. He sang under the name "Dawn" in the 1970s, and when the songs became hits, he went on tour and the group became "Tony Orlando and Dawn". They had several songs which were major hits including "Candida", "Knock Three Times", and "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree". The group hosted a variety program, "The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show" on CBS from 1974-76, and then broke up in 1978.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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