Tony Orlando & Dawn: Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree (1973)

The idea of using a yellow ribbon has been a part of culture since the English civil war in the 17th century as soldiers would wear yellow sashes out to war. This was visualized in the U.S. cavalry as early as the 1880's by the painter Fredric Remington, although there was nothing in the dress code that made it specific to a man's uniform to wear a kerchief. We see it in the actual form of a yellow ribbon to remember a loved one out to war in a popular marching song from the World War I, called, "'Round Her Neck She Wears a Yeller Ribbon".

The idea of it being linked to a convect has been an American folk tale since at least the late 1950's, and it was this tale that inspired Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown to write this song in the summer of 1972. Interestingly enough this was shortly after ABC had showed a movie starring James Earl Jones called, "Going Home" which had the same storyline. This movie had been based on a New York Times article by Pete Hamill, written in 1971. Hamill sued the songwriters for taking his idea, but folklorists proved this had been a story that had around for at least 13 or 14 years. Coincidental?  For sure, but it could not be proven that the idea for the song was taken directly from the article/movie.

Tony Orlando and Dawn were riding the crest of a wave begun in 1970, which at the time was just Orlando and studio singers. When "Candita" and "Knock Three Times" became hits, Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson were added. There had been a lull in 71 and 72, but hit big with "Tie a Yellow Ribbon", which sparked a huge resurgence in their popularity and led them to several more big hits in the mid-70's along with a television show from 74-76,

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What were they thinking?: Telly Savalas--If (1975)

     Many of us spend life wishing we could change what we do for a living. We forget that even those who are very successful in life also have those wishes. We live in an age where singers want to be actors, actors want to be singers and sports jocks want to do both. Sometimes that actually works out. The Billboard charts are littered with actors and others who record and do it with various degrees.

      For some reason, the 70's were a fertile time for these kind of acts. David Soul, David Cassidy, John Travolta and others had strong hits during that decade. Although you can argue about how well you actually liked the music, they could all SING (i.e. keep a tune...and don't forget there was no auto tune). Then there was the artists who you have to ask, "What WERE they thinking?"

      In the footsteps of artists such as Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and Sebastian Cabot (at least he had the wisdom to call his albums, 'Dramatic Readings'), Telly Savalas chose to throw his lollipop into the arena. Now, before we go on, let's put to bed the idea that this is "singing". It is reading the lyrics to a song accompanied by music. As a reader, it's not half bad, his deep baritone resonates well. However part of the issues with all of these attempts is that poetry is one thing, music lyrics can be quite another and it's the mock seriousness of the proceedings that makes it truly enjoyable.

Before we get to the main event, let's look at some of this man's truly great work.....Who loves ya baby??

Now that we have secured Telly's claim to fame as a 70's TV icon....let's check out his softer side.

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The real life group that was the inspiration for The Partridge Family.

First of all....Happy 55th Birthday to John Cowsill.....more in him in just a moment.


The Cowsills were made up of Bill and Bob (guitars), Barry (Bass), John (drums), Susan, Paul and their mom Barbara. The group was formed in 1965 with the core of Bill, Bob and Barry, soon afterward John and then Barbara had joined by the release of  "The Cowsills" in 1967. Susan and Paul joined shortly after that.

For the rest of the 60's, the Cowsills were hitting the charts with bits of pop confection stamped with beautiful 4 and 5 part harmonies that could only be produced by siblings.

In 1969 Screen Gems approached them about doing a sitcom about themselves. Negotiations broke down however when it was decided that Barbara would be replaced by Shirley Jones. Later, David Cassidy was hired on the cast and it was renamed, "The Partridge Family" and started it's 4 year run on ABC.

Things would be pretty much over for them by 1972, although they have continued to perform on and off over the years...and that brings us back to the birthday boy.

John has made his mark in a lot of different places. He toured with Jan & Dean and the Dwight Twilley Band (as did his sister Susan). He has acted some on the soap "General Hospital", and the sitcom "Full House". He was with Tommy Tutone long enough to be heard on his huge hit, "867-5309/Jenny", and in 1993 he married Vicki Peterson of The Bangels. He is now the drummer and background vocalist for the Beach Boys touring band. Happy Birthday John!

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