Dawn
Formed in 1970 by singer Tony Orlando (b. 4 April 1944, New York, USA) when a demo of "Candida", co-written by Toni Wine, arrived on his desk. Orlando elected to record it himself with support from Tamla/Motown Records session vocalists Telma Hopkins (b. 28 October 1948, Louisville) and Joyce Vincent (b. 14 December 1946, Detroit, Michigan, USA), and hired instrumentalists. On Bell Records, this single was attributed to Dawn, despite the existence of 14 other professional acts of that name - which is why, after "Candida" and "Knock Three Times" topped international charts, the troupe came to be billed as "Tony Orlando and Dawn", three more million-sellers later. Though the impetus slackened with "What Are You Doing Sunday" and a "Happy Together"/"Runaway" medley (with Del Shannon), the irresistible "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree" proved the hit song of 1973. With typical bouncy accompaniment and downhome libretto - about a Civil War soldier's homecoming - it has amassed hundreds of cover versions. The "Say Has Anybody Seen My Sweet Gypsy Rose' follow-up exuded a ragtime mood that prevailed throughout the associated album, and Dawn's New Ragtime Follies variety season in Las Vegas was syndicated on television spectaculars throughout the globe - although such exposure could not prevent the comparative failure of 1974"s "Who's In The Strawberry Patch With Sally". After moving to Elektra Records, the trio had their last US number 1 - with "He Don't Love You", a rewrite of a Jerry Butler single from 1960. Another revival - of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "You're All I Need To Get By" - was among other releases during their less successful years. Orlando, who returned to solo performance following Dawn's demise, reunited with Hopkins and Vincent in 2005 to record a new studio album.
Listen to Dawn
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2004) Guitar&Vocals
Top Tracks
- Candida
- Up On The Roof
- Home
- besame mucho
- black is the colour
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