Tony Orlando Sets Farewell Tour

Lars Brandle
·3 min read

Tony Orlando is hanging up his mic — but not before a final lap of North American shows.

Announced Monday (Jan. 15), Orlando’s Farewell Concerts kick off with dates across three consecutive nights at South Point Casino in Las Vegas, Jan. 19-21; followed by shows at Niagara Falls, ON; Des Plaines and St. Charles, IL; Atlantic City, NJ; and Uncasville, CT. His final performance in Vegas should be an emotional one, wrapping 51 years as a headliner on the Strip.

More from Billboard

“I still hit the ball, I just can’t run the bases!!!” Orlando, 79, tells Billboard about ending this touring career, adding that the cost of travel and his age were contributing factors. “It’s also time for me to satisfy my creative juices with the need in me to produce, create new products from films, to Broadway shows, to streaming new product.”

Orlando says he plans to launch new companies Tony Orlando Productions and Explosive Films and Entertainment. He will also “pay more attention to writing a Broadway show and pitching my ideas for films and writing my next book.”

“Performing live shows for 63 years has been a glorious dream come true run!” he says. “And, man oh man, I will miss the audiences, friends and fans who have stuck by me for these last 63 incredible years. But now it’s time to grow and turn a new page in my life. How exciting!”

As it stands, Orlando will call time on his 63-year concerts career on March 22 at Mohegan Sun’s 10,000-seat arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

“We are honored that after such a historic entertainment and humanitarian career, Tony Orlando has chosen Mohegan Sun to host his final live performance,” comments Tom Cantone, president of sports & entertainment for Mohegan. “It’s now time for us to give him a standing ovation for entertaining over 100,000 fans at Mohegan Sun over the years, something that only Billy Joel has done, as he will be forever part of Mohegan’s entertainment family.”

According to reps, this will mark his 65th appearance at the venue over a 23-year period. During that impressive run, Orlando was also inducted into Mohegan Sun’s Walk Of Fame in 2010.

“I am so honored that my last concert will be at my favorite venue on Earth, Mohegan Sun Arena,” comments Orlando, paying tribute to the “flawless” work by Cantone, the stage crews, and the staff. “I also want to thank all my friends within the Mohegan Tribe for making me feel like family and for the opportunity to say goodbye,” he adds. “Thank you for making my dreams come true.”

Orlando is a two-time American Music Award winner and a recipient of the People’s Choice Award for best male entertainer. In 2016 he collected the Casino entertainer of the year award and the Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Entertainment from the Congressional Medal Of Honor Society, honoring his tireless efforts on behalf of veterans.

Tony Orlando & Dawn landed three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1971-75 — “Knock Three Times,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” and “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You).” The group received a Grammy nod for best pop vocal performance by a duo, group or chorus for “Tie a Yellow Ribbon,” which was also nominated for song of the year.

In 1990, the entertainer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, a permanent reminder of his outstanding achievements in the entertainment industry.

Tony Orlando – The Farewell Concerts
Jan. 19, 20, 21 — Las Vegas, Nevada – South Point Casino
Feb. 27, 28 — Niagara Falls, Ontario – Fallsview Casino
March 2 — Des Plaines, Ill. – Des Plaines Theater
March 3 — St. Charles, Ill. – The Arcada Theater
March 16 — Atlantic City, N.J. – Resorts Casino Hotel
March 22 — Uncasville, Conn. – Mohegan Sun Arena

Best of Billboard