I met Tony Orlando at Popcorn records in Dedham Mass when I was 15 in 1976, he knew my name from all of my letters, and asked me to stay there with him, while he signed autographs. So many kisses and hugs from him that day. I saw him 2 weeks ago and spoke with him and after 28 years he still remembered my name from all of my letters. A very down to earth gentle man.

Ms. AS from Rhode Island

My sister Cathy was IN LOVE with Tony Orlando. In 1974-75 (memory fades a bit),
she found out Tony Orlando and Dawn were going to be playing at the Monticello
Speedway in NY. I guess I should mention that Cathy was a teenager then, while 
I was barely 5 years old.  Anyway, my sister came up with a plan for her to meet 
Mr. Orlando.  Essentially, she climbed a neighbor's oak tree (without permission) 
and cut off some branches. Then she wrapped yellow ribbons around them (clever,
huh?). Cathy's plan was to wave them around until Mr. Orlando saw them.
She was convinced that he would then invite her onstage and give her (gasp) a kiss!

Well, the whole family and some friends went to the concert. Being so
young, I was put up on a family friend's shoulders to avoid my being
trampled. When "Tie a Yellow Ribbon. . . " began, Cathy gave me a branch
to wave while she held her own. Looking back, I think the crowd kept Mr.
Orlando from seeing my sister's branch. But what happened next is nothing
short of amazing.  Mr. Orlando STOPPED the show and motioned for me to come
forward. The family friend waded through the crowd with me still on his shoulders.
When I got to the front of the stage, Mr. Orlando asked "did you make this for me?"
What followed is something that continues to haunt me to this day . . . I mumbled 
"yes".  At which point, Mr. Orlando kissed MY forehead and took the branch.

So that's my story. . . and for the past 25 years, I have continually had to
hear the story of how Cathy's brother LIED to Tony Orlando and STOLE a kiss
that was rightfully hers!!! 
* * * 
Upon reading this man's tormented story and affect upon his life, one of the Friends
of TOAD brought the story to Tony, along with a copy of the Sheet Music to "Tie A
Yellow Ribbon" for him to sign, which he did with such class.
Dear Cathy, Thanks for the branch.  I never meant to kiss brother
Jim--instead I've been waiting 25 years to kiss the true branch
maker.  Hope sometime soon.  God Bless you always, Tony Orlando
With autograph in hand we emailed Jim to let him know that soon the 25 years of
harassment would end! 
Thank you so much for forwarding my message along to Tony. I am truly touched that 
everyone was so moved by it. And I am truly amazed that he actually remembered 
playing Monticello. Also, the sheet music was a wonderful touch. . . so from the bottom 
of my heart; thank you.
I'm smiling now when I think of what my sister is going to do when she sees
it. Even more, that she has a chance to collect on her kiss!
With regard to the autographed sheet music, I did give it to my sister for Christmas.  
Everyone in my family knew about it, so there were LOTS of photos taken.  Needless 
to say, my sister was quite surprised and it actually took her a few minutes to figure 
out that it was real!
Thank you again for everything you did.  And please pass along my sincerest thanks 
to Mr. Orlando.  In a world full of pompous, money-hungry artists, it's heart-warming 
to know there are still a few individuals out there who genuinely care about their fans! 
Mr. J.W. from Ohio

I met all three backstage at the Canfield County Fair. TOAD did not have a large black following back then but my sister and I went to the show to show our support because we knew Telma and Joyce casually. They were Detroiters so that was also reason enough to support them. They seemed delighted to see my sister and I in the audience (remember we were the only blacks in the stands who didn't walk out on them) and Tony Joyce and Telma played the entire show to us. In fact Joyce just looked at us and grinned the entire show. Telma did the same and even gave me the power salute during one of her skits with Tony. Tony even came down from the stage to shake my hand and almost crushed my thumb. He was very enthusiastic. Joyce's husband was their road manager at the time and he was so happy to see African-Americans at one of their shows that he was the one who invited my sister and I to go backstage. We felt special. I had also remembered Telma from Detroit (where I was born) and I used to attend some of the sessions that took place at Motown. I had several family members who occasionally played in the Motown house band or sang back-up on some famous Motown tunes and I would beg them to take me to the studios every now and then so I could gawk at the celebrities and try to get some session work myself. But I was really shy back then. I remember seeing Telma around Motown maybe about 1966-1967. I thought she wasn't much older than I was but she was singing on sessions. I didn't have the nerve to say anything to her because I thought she was an adult--at least 18-19 and I was only 11-12. I later got to hang around them when they moved on to Holland Dozier Holland's operation. I think Telma released a record locally. And I still have an album by Dennis Coffey in which Telma, Joyce, Rock (Joyce's former husband) and I think Pam and others sang background on and they are mixed very loudly so you can tell that it's them. It also listed their names on the album cover.

Mr. C.M. from Illinois

I have meet Tony Orlando on 3 occasions. The first was Feb 16 1997. I got to go backstage after his show at Harrah's in Atlantic City NJ. I was so nervous that I told my husband I can't talk to Tony Orlando! But knowing how much I love him my husband made me go back once I got there. I could talk to him just fine. Tony is as wonderful off stage as he is on stage! We spent about 15 minutes talking to him it was a wonderful night! Then once we saw Tony at Westbury Music Fair in NY. After the show we waited outside by his bus for an hour till Tony came out. And the 3rd time was just Feb 20 1999. I was with 4 other members of Tony's Troops at his show at Resorts in Atlantic City NJ. After the show we all got to go back to meet with Tony ... we had a great time. He was wonderful to us all!

Ms. D from New Jersey

I have met Tony, Joyce, and Pam. I want to meet Telma someday. I would really love to produce a single with Telma Joyce and Pam on background vocals.

Mr. D. S. from Pennsylvania

I recently met Tony after a show in Atlantic City Resorts. (I was part of the troops). There were 5 of us there. We went up on the stage to present him with 6 packages of Oreo cookies. It was thrilling to me because it was the first time (meeting him). Following the concert we went backstage to take pictures and sign autographs. He was a great sport about the whole thing. I sat next to him on the couch and kept repeating to him that it has been 25 yrs and I finally am meeting you . He told my husband to take a picture of him and I that it was for the last 25 yrs. Now its proudly displayed in my living room for all to see.

Ms. S. L. from Vermont

I did see Tony perform 4-4-99 in Laughlin, and it was a highlight of my life… I fell in love all over again.

Ms. P.C. from California

My husband surprised me with a trip to Branson Mo. in 1996. We went to two of Tony's shows. I had with me his key chain from the fan club and showed it to him when he came out in the audience. He smiled and I got a picture with him. He invited us backstage after the show, but he could not see us then, so his son asked if we would like to come back that night to another show. We said YES, and we got to meet him after the show. He was so nice. We had our picture taken with him. We went back out to see Tony two more times, and he signed the picture of all three of us after the show. I got to go on stage and take a picture with him. I hope to one day get him to sign that one too. Tony Orlando is a blessing to us all. No one can hold a candle to Tony O. #1 fan of Tony O's.

Ms. P.C. from Florida

Some of my favorite memories of the olds days on the road with TOAD are of the fun we used to have after the shows in the coffee shop at the hotel. We would spend hours there laughing and talking with members of the group, band members and whoever was the opening act at that time--comedians such as Gary Shandling, Tom Dreesen, Johnny Yune, Sammy Shore, and many others. It was the time for everyone to unwind after the show. The comedians never slowed down though--each took immense pleasure in waiting until you had your mouth full of food, or you had just taken a sip of whatever you were drinking, to sneak in a punch line to a joke. I laughed so hard sometimes my stomach muscles hurt for days.

Into the wee hours of the morning the numbers would fluctuate, but no matter how crowded the booth was, there was always room for more. What did we talk about? Anything and everything. This was the time when you really got to know everyone; all reserves were left at the door--and boy did we have a ball. Even now more than twenty years later, something will bring back the memory of a particular night. I can't help but smile and think how lucky I was to make such good friends and how much I miss those who are no longer here. Give me an Oh Yeah!

A TOAD Fan

I met Tony Orlando at the Talk of the T.O.W.N. Theatre in Branson, MO in August of 1998. I told him that in August of 1974, I was all set to watch the Tony Orlando and Dawn Hour, when CBS broke in with President Nixon's resignation. When I told Tony this, he thanked me for being such a loyal and devoted fan. When he autographed my photo of him, he wrote on the picture, "Thanks for caring." I found him to be a very down-to-earth person who cared about his fans.

Mr. D.B. from New York

Following the show at the Broome County Arena, Binghamton NY we were taking Valerie in her wheelchair (she had Multiple Sclerosis, not able to walk) and we came upon Telma Hopkins in the lobby of the Motel where they were staying.  Valerie ask if she could have a picture taken with Telma.  Telma said, "Why sure honey."  So I took out the Polaroid and snapped.  When the picture was developed, it was so dark, you could not distinguish Telma, hardly at all.  I embarrassingly said, "Oh, my gosh, I forgot to lighten the setting."  Telma came over looked at the picture, put her arm around me and said, "You know, honey, I just don't take too good of a picture if the setting is too dark."  Well we all laughed and ended up getting as many takes as we wanted, plus she made sure Valerie was able to get a fantastic picture with Tony before he boarded their tour bus for the Syracuse NY State Fair the next day.  But then that picture session; is another completely separate story.

Mrs. L.H. from Pennsylvania

At the May 17, 1974 Valley Forge Music Fair appearance, Tony announced that he would sign autographs after the show for anyone who wanted to stay. My parents had gotten me tickets for my 16th birthday and my dad, who said he was sick of hearing me talk about Tony, said there was no way we were leaving that night without an autograph. After the show we were told where to go to see Tony. True to his word, he appeared and spent several hours signing autographs and taking pictures with the crowd that had waited. My dad took my picture with Tony and he gave me a hug and an autograph. He asked who the lady with me was. Of course, it was my mom and I told him. He then went over and grabbed my mom and gave her a big hug and kiss and told her that she deserved it for all the times she had to listen to his music at home. He also shook hands with my dad and took pictures with my best friend who had gone with us. It was the most exciting day in all of my 16 years. All these years later, I still have the pictures and still remember how friendly Tony was to all his fans and how he stayed until everyone had a picture, a kind word and an autograph to take home with them.

After that, my dad never again complained when I talked about Tony and I would sometimes catch him singing along when I played the albums. And, my mom still has her picture with Tony!

Ms. L from Florida

Even though I have loved Tony since I was 14 (1974), I only saw him for the first time last September (1998) at Westbury Music Fair with my husband. I saw him again yesterday (11/17/99) at Westbury with my mom and dad. I gave him flowers onstage and my dad presented him with a photo of the Marine flag raising at Iwo Jima, Japan after the show and thanked Tony for the all the support and acknowledgement that he gives to veterans. Tony was very touched and gladly accepted it (after asking my Dad to sign it for him). He posed for pictures with my dad and the marine photo. I also had a photograph of him from the early seventies that someone gave me and have held on to it for 25 years. I showed it to him and asked him if he would sign it after all this time. He wrote a lovely note on the back and posed for two pictures with me. I got to hug and kiss him. What a sweetheart!! Tony looks you right in the eyes and speaks with you as though he has known you forever. What a warm and caring guy. He made the meeting very, very memorable.

 Mrs. MJB from New York

My sister and I saw Tony Orlando on stage at Sea world in Orlando. We knew it was his birthday so we screen printed him a shirt and got up on stage to give it to him. He gave us both a hug!!!! I thought I would die

Ms. VR from Florida

I first met Tony in 1979 in Las Vegas when he was performing solo. I was 14 and my parents promised it to me if I made it through all of my surgeries and what a reward it was. Because of my health etc. I could not go see him again until he came to Des Moines Iowa, in 1993, during the floods. I still had the picture from 1979 and he remembered me. we developed a friendship that continues today. I went to see him in Branson MO and went to several of his shows he always talked to me backstage and he saw my artwork, which is of cats, he is a cat lover too. He purchased several totebags and shirts for his family and also carried some of my items in his gift shop. He later came to Des Moines to host an auction for an art organization I am with to help raise funds for me to go to Belgium to do a seminar on my artwork. I went back to see him the next couple of years, until my health began to deteriorate. I am eager to go back to Branson to see my ole friend again. God willing.

Ms. KK from Iowa

Tony Orlando and Dawn are fabulous and this site is fabulous. I have been a Tony Orlando and Dawn fan since the beginning of Dawn when I was just a young girl. I have every album they ever recorded, seen them perform in concert several times and saved magazine and newspaper articles in my TOAD scrapbook. I am proud to say, I know alot about them, especially Tony. And, I am so excited to see that other people care about Tony and Dawn the way I do. They deserve all of our love and admiration. Tony Orlando is a very special, unique individual and the fact that he has a wonderful voice and such charisma when he is on stage (and off) is the icing on the cake.

Until one has the opportunity of seeing Tony perform, no one will quite understand the electricity that flows in the showroom nor will they understand the friendship he gives to you during that time. Tony is not just a performer who stands on stage and sings songs, he gives of himself 100%. And, when you leave the show room after his two hours on stage, you have laughed, cried, sang songs, and danced in the aisles. I last saw Tony when he performed in Smokey Joe's Cafe on Broadway and he was fabulous. After the show was over, he came outside right on the streets of Broadway and took photos and signed pictures of mine that were taken of him and I when he was at Westbury in 1998. It was a day I will never forget. He has a way of making you feel special when he is so special himself. 

Ms. T from New York

Yes, I've met all of them.  When I was 6 years old I had a malignant brain tumor. Since I watched the faithfully at home & in the hospital, everyone who knew me knew that I wanted to see them in concert. I fell in love with Tony of course, but the doctors said that I would only live 1 year til I was 7. So some friends of the family arranged for me & my family to meet Tony, and in process I met Telma & Joyce. That was in 1976 in Indianapolis. Tony & I became very special friends & still are to this day. Later, When Tony & the girls did the reunion tour in 1988 - 89 ,I met Joyce again & met Pam too. I met most of Tony's family too.

Ms. LO from Indiana

Met them all, at various times, in various circumstances (some of which I won't dare to mention!) I just recently shared a Telma Hopkins Birthday Story over on the message board. I hold dear memories of those meetings to this day - maybe I will write up a "memoir" and send it.

Ms. RS from California

I have met Tony, Telma and Joyce and they were the best experiences that have ever happened in my life. They are warm, charming and the best performers and are so true to their fans. We Love you all!

Ms. SD from New Jersey

I have never met Tony Orlando but when he was performing alone, I saw him almost once a year for ten years. At almost every performance, I managed to get a kiss from him and once even walked on stage. I have been a fan of his since the third episode of the summer replacement show. I don't know what exactly attacked me then but I know that he is a terrific performer. Because of his show, I have a fondness for Bobby Darin music as well.

Ms. TM from California

I have had the honor of meeting everyone, Tony, Joyce, Telma, Pam, band members, stage crew. I've had the pleasure of meeting everyone more than once and each meeting was truly a memorable adventure! Different theatres, different groups of friends joining me. I thank them all for my memories.

Ms. JG from Illinois

Pittsburgh, Pa at the Civic Arena, My sister took me for my 13th birthday. What a wonderful show. I was clear up in Peanut Heaven but even being in the same place as they were was so exciting to me. My sister and I waited in the garage below for quit awhile and all I was able to see was the white Limo that took them out of the garage. I remember the Girls sang the theme from Mahogany. although I was quit a ways up there , Telma and Joyce were wearing long White flowing gowns and they sang so beautifully. I actually hated that song until I heard Telma and Joyce sing it, and ever since it has been one of my favorites. Every Time I hear that song it takes me back to when I was only 13 years old.  Isn't it strange how even time can't take away the love you hold in your heart for the ones who have touched our lives so deeply???? Tony, Joyce and Telma Thank You All for Giving of Yourselves so freely and allowing us to cherish you constantly in our hearts forever and a day Our love follows you!!!! May God Bless every little move you make and every breath that you take....

Tony was performing at the Front Row Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. It was November 3,1979. I was only 17 years old, Myself, my mother and a couple I babysat for went to the show. Mine and My Moms seats were separate from the couples. And I had taken a Picture a friend drew for me. Tony Came out on Stage Looking gorgeous as always. about 1/2 way through the show I just stood up and started walking toward the stage. A guard tried to stop me but Tony told him it was o.k. I walked right up onto the stage and he came over to me and ask what I had. I showed it to him but I couldn't speak. He ask about the picture, He said is this Me from the Cover of people Magazine. I just shook my head. I was in a daze. My friend took pictures of Tony and I together and when he was finished I started to go back to my seat as I turned around I saw my friend and remembered that I made them promise me that if they got to met Tony that they wouldn't forget me and they made me promise the same and as I stood their with him I couldn't even remember my own name let alone them but when I saw him standing there I just turned around to Tony real fast and said Hey wait a minute I forgot My Mom and Robert and Shelley and I promised And Tony Just Looked At me and Said Look Folks First she won't talk to me Now she doesn't want to let me go. Everyone laughed. I still can't believe I was standing right there with him.

Ms. BD from Ohio

I saw Tony Orlando in Hershey, PA this past summer.  I gave him a yellow rose with a yellow ribbon around it.  I got a hug from him. 

Ms. LG from Pennsylvania

After a concert in Columbus, Ohio, Tony's limo pulled up to a red light right next to us on our left. I was very, very young. My father said something to him and Tony came out, reached in the backseat, kissed me and my brother, shook my mother's and father's hand and they all exchanged a few words and he left. It was quite shocking, but incredibly unforgetful to say the least. He truly showed class that late night, and it'll forever remain one of my fondest childhood memories.

Mr. AC from Ohio

More to come........................

Please fill out the TOAD(ally) FAN(tastic) Survey to share your Close Encounter of the TOAD Kind.

Return to Friends of Tony Orlando and Dawn Home Page