rockschoolpodcast

Tony Orlando has spent an incredible six decades in entertainment. From signing his first record deal at the age of 15 years old to segueing to the other side of the desk as a successful music publisher working for the legendary Clive Davis to accidentally becoming an even bigger pop star with the accidental pop group Dawn, Tony's career reads like something out of fiction but it all happened. Still going strong today, Tony hosts "Saturday Nights With Tony Orlando," heard worldwide via WABC New York and his music is still heard everywhere. Songs like "Tie A Yellow Ribbon," "Knock Three Times," "Candida," and "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)," are all part of the fabric of contemporary music. In this episode, Tony tells us about growing up in both New York and New Jersey; how a chance meeting outside New York's famous Brill Building led to being signed by the legendary impresario Don Kirshner and how at 15 he was working alongside fellow teenage rookies Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Cynthia Weill and Barry Mann; and, most comedically, how doing a throw-away favor singing a demo for his friend Hank Medress led to two of the biggest hit records of the year 1970. Even iconic DJ Casey Kasem pays us a visit on this episode. A must listen episode for anyone interested in great stories about many, many big hit records and a remarkable career in music.