Pop icon Tony Orlando will perform at The Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City on both Friday and Saturday night at 9 p.m.

Orlando, born to a Greek father and Puerto Rican mother, was born and raised in Manhattan’s infamous Hell’s Kitchen. He began his musical career with a doo-wop group he formed, The Five Gents. Orlando began hitting the national charts at the age of 16 with “Halfway to Paradise” and “Bless You” as the first vocal artist to sign with Epic Records. He later routed his musical career to the nonperformance side and became one of the youngest vice-presidents for CBS Records.

Orlando’s “Knock Three Times” was the top song of 1971, selling over six million copies worldwide. In 1973, Orlando recorded “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree,” which became Orlando’s theme song and grew into am American anthem of hope and homecoming, reunion and renewal. Other hits included “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” “He Don’t Love You,” “Who’s In the Strawberry Patch with Sally,” “Cupid,” “Steppin’ Out” and “Mornin’ Beautiful.”

In 1974, Orlando decided to break into the television industry with the first multi-ethnic variety show on TV. The show ran for four seasons and welcomed the biggest names in show business including Jackie Gleason and Jerry Lewis.

From million selling records, five number one hits, a popular television variety series, movies and Broadway (“Barnum” and “Smokey Joe’s Café”), Tony Orlando has conquered every facet of show business. He is a recipient of three American Music Awards and a People’s Choice Award. In 1980, Orlando was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his achievements to the entertainment industry.

Opening for Tony Orlando at 8 p.m. is the Boogie Shoes Band.

Tickets can be purchased at the amphitheater box office through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. or through Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400, www.ticketmaster.com, or at any Ticketmaster retail location. Ticket prices are $48 for reserved seats and $32 for lawn seats. For more information, please visit www.amphitheater.org or call 770-631-0630.

login to post comments