Ron Onesti:  Tony Orlando and Ron

So many people say to me, “Boy, I wish I had YOUR job!”  They see me on stage before a show at The Arcada or Des Plaines Theatres, mingling with celebs, and loving the music.  Yes, that is a blessing I thank God for every day.  But what I tell people is that they only see the 3% of it, the other 97% is not as pretty!

But still, the part with the entertainers has definitely come to be a big part of it for me.  I am proud to be star-struck, as these show biz-pros have earned it by giving us our musical memories. My experiences are better with some than with others, especially if we have a history of putting on their shows.  And some of those experiences are just plain magical!

One such relationship that comes to mind as I recollect some of the best times I have had in my career is the one I have fostered with the legendary television and recording star, Tony Orlando.  His sincere excitement when he sees anyone he knows is just so warm, and so real.  Rarely have I met someone, especially somebody of his level of fame, who is more loving, caring and considerate than he.

In 1973, Tony Orlando and Dawn recorded the groups biggest hit (and 37^th biggest hit in history, according to Billboard Magazine), “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree”.  It was in the top ten in ten countries and added much to the success of their network television show.

In 1979, amidst the Iranian Hostage Crisis, the tune became a beacon of hope for the return of the hostages.  Oak trees all over the country had yellow ribbons tied into bows as a symbol of love and support to the families of the victims.  Since then, the song has come to represent the hope of positive returns of missing persons, and the safe return home of our military heroes.  Tony is all about our Veterans!

A few years back, he came to St. Charles to do his show at The Arcada Theatre.  The big news of the day was a teenaged young girl in the area who had been missing.  As soon as he arrived, he asked me about the girl, and if I knew the family.  I did not know the girl, but the family was local.  We found a yellow plastic tablecloth in the dressing rooms so we ripped a piece off and tied it into a yellow bow.  Tony signed it with words of hope and faith.  I got it to the family and they were emotional and thrilled.  The girl showed up two days later.  A happy ending.

When I opened my first “Rock ‘N Ravioli” Restaurant in Evanston, I was on the phone with Tony about another issue.  We talked about the Grand Opening and he sensed how excited I was.  As I was about to cut the ribbon on opening night, who shows up at the front door?  Tony Orlando!  Surprise!  How about that for a buddy?

When it came time to celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the group itself, “Tony Orlando & Dawn”, which theatre got the “official” 50^th Anniversary show?  You guessed it…The Arcada Theatre!

Tony, along with original television show members Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson arrived the night before and we had dinner together.  To see their faces (ageless) all together was a thrill and a throwback to my younger, simpler years.  Memories of their show, The Sonny & Cher Show, Carol Burnett and several others flashed before my eyes.  And to sit with them as THEY reminisced about those early days was simply awe-inspiring.  How they got the news about the show and their favorite guests (He said he had no actual favorites, but loved Jerry Lewis and Jackie Gleason) was so cool to hear about.  They told me how they met during Telma’s Motown years as both ladies sang backup for many stars including Marvin Gaye.

He talked about how in one year, he lost his 20-year-old sister to Cerebral Palsy, his best friend Freddie Prinze committed suicide at age 22, and his show was cancelled.  He stopped singing at the time and faced great depression.  It was a pretty deep conversation.  But he got through it and returned to the stage, thank goodness.

Then, backstage before their show, I stood with Tony, Telma and Joyce as their show opened with rare video footage of the original TV show.  It was the first time they all saw the footage together.  Watching the looks on their faces was something I will never forget, and sharing that moment with the three of them will remain one of my favorite career memories.

Tony has never disappointed with his live show as his voice is as golden as ever.  He is the epitome of a showman, still with that warmth that melts every member of the audience.  I must say that he is among my absolute favorites, not just as a performer, but as a brother, an icon and as a human being.  His show is definitely a stroll down “Memory Lane” as the audience become as much of the part of the show as he is with the sing-a-long to every tune.  His demeanor is one that truly “hugs” the audience.

Come to the show-you will be glad you did-guaranteed!  And just walk in-don’t bother knocking three times…our door is always open!

Tony Orlando appears this Saturday, November 5 at The Des Plaines Theatre and Sunday at The Arcada Theatre.  Log onto oshows.com or call 630.962.7000 for great seats!