Pop singing great Tony Orlando will be at the Hellenic Charity Ball in San Francisco this week to celebrate his Greek roots and accept honors from the Elios Charitable Foundation.
Orlando, whose full name is Michael Anthony Orlando Cassavitis, imagines that his late Greek-American father “would be busting his buttons” upon hearing about the Nov. 9 black-tie event at the Ritz Carlton.
Orlando, proud of his Greek and Puerto Rican heritage, will the receive inaugural George and Judy Marcus Lifetime Achievement Award at the 14th annual fundraiser gala, which is being hosted by award-winning actress Marilu Henner.
Orlando, 80— best known for 1970s top 10 hits with Tony Orlando and Dawn including “Knock Three Times,” “Candida” and “My Sweet Gypsy Rose” and a television variety show with the group— recently announced he would retire from touring. But he has no plans to stop performing and is set on continuing his work with veterans.
“I’ve raised hundreds of millions of dollars for veterans since 1973. Only God can retire me from working for veterans. I do lot of charity performances,” says Orlando, whose 1973 hit “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” became a theme song, reflecting his esteem for U.S. fighting forces.
Orlando is a board member of Tribute to Valor foundation, a volunteer organization dedicated to inspiring students involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum, and, he says, celebrating core values associated with Medal of Honor recipients, those members of the military who have received the armed services’ highest decoration.
Orlando, who wanted to serve in the military during the Vietnam war, never was a soldier. He says he was designated 4-F, unqualified for duty, by a military doctor who told him he had a “narrow auditory channel.”
“But I’m a singer,” he protested at the time.
“Well, you can’t be a very good singer,” the doctor said.
Despite that disappointment, Orlando is pleased to be part of the Greek-American community and to be recognized by the Elios Charitable Foundation and its mission to foster the values of Greek and Greek-American culture.
“Anytime you get a lifetime award or any award, it’s humbling. I’m humbled,” he says, sharing that he has “great respect for my upbringing as well as the Hispanic side.” His mother was Puerto Rican; his father was the descendant of a Cretan family.
“I love my Greek heritage. I went back to Crete to see my aunt and her vineyard. (I) think of the science and math that came out of the Greek mind, the continual respect of Greek people in this country for their heritage…. besides being a proud American which I am.”
Orlando, who has been married to Francine Amormino since 1990, has overcome challenges including divorce and addiction. In doing so, he says he fell back on the strength of his family, its traditions and his faith in God.
Other honorees at the Hellenic Charity Ball 2024 include Emmy-nominated Hollywood film and television actor, animation voice star and Broadway stage veteran Chris Diamantopoulos; award-winning Hollywood special makeup, mask maker and co-owner of Immortal Masks George Frangadakis; and Netflix music executive and producer Alexandra Patsavas.
While the gala will celebrate notable personalities, Elios Charitable Foundation President and Chair John Gumas says, “The evening is ultimately about raising financial support and awareness of our Hellenic beneficiaries, with a special emphasis on youth. It is the support of these programs that truly informs our path forward as proud Greek Americans and Philhellenes.”
Elios Charitable Foundation’s Hellenic Charity Ball 2024 is at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St., San Francisco. Tickets start at $750. Visit www.elios.org/hellenic-charity-ball/sponsorships-tickets/.
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