Halfway to Paradise

Rating:
Summary: A MUST READ FOR TONY O FANS
Review: A very interesting read. Very shocking at times. Makes you realize that we, the audience, are oftentimes sold a bill of goods on the "stars", we believe as truth what is put out there and realize that what's really going on behind the scenes is a whole other story. Don't know how much embellishing Tony did. He would need quite a memory to recount everything so exactly. Some stories in the book I've have heard differently (even from his own interviews) prior to reading the book's version of them. He is a little rough on Joyce and she barely takes up 1 page or 2 in his book. The only thing on his mind about Joyce after all their years together are her teeth, which he had her cap. For someone who was one-third of his singing group, you'd think he'd have more to say about her than 1 1/2 pages which are mostly about her teeth. The resounding theme of this book is Tony's brutal honesty. Some parts are laugh out loud funny. He's very self-deprecating. I think it took a lot of guts for Tony to reveal so much about his life, a lot of it not flattering. Someone is watching out for him that we was able to climb out of such a deep, dark hole and pull his life back together. His language is very rough and graphic at times, a little shocking because I can't picture him speaking that way at all. I think there is definitely more to the some of the stories he tells. You're obviously only hearing his side, but he does take responsibility for a lot that went wrong. I finished the book in one day. A definite must read if you are or ever were a Tony Orlando fan.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait
Review: After waiting so long for this book to come out,I was not disappointed. The book was so easy to read, becuase it is written in such a personable, friendly style. YOu feel like Tony is sitting right next to you telling you the stories. He has such a vivid memory, and I have hard some of the stories before. Tony was brutaly honest in the book, and shared so much, but that is his style.
Honestly, I too was a little taken back by the profanity, but then again, Tony has always been honest, and just his self. And most of the time, it is related to what someone else has said to him, or it is necessary to enhance the point he is getting across. The book makes you realize more than ever, that everyone is the same, and everyone battles their own demons and problems. And in the end, I am prouder than ever of Tony, who he is, and what he stands for as a decent human being. I would suggest that anyone who loves autobiographies, would really enjoy the book.

Rating:
Summary: A warm and heartfelt autobiography from a very candid writer
Review: Anyone old enough to remember back to 1973 knows the name Tony Orlando. That's the year the singer and his female back-up duo Dawn recorded "Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree."

The top-40s ditty about a petty criminal welcomed back from prison became the theme song for returning Vietnam POWs, a rallying point for families of American hostages in Iran and soldiers serving in the Gulf War, and an all-purpose anthem for anyone forced to be away from home. As part of the national soundtrack of the late 20th century, the song earned Orlando a place in pop culture history.

Or, as Orlando puts it in his autobiography --- "Almost like flipping a pancake, 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree' flipped my life over." HALFWAY TO PARADISE is peppered with such passages --- writing that is clumsy, yet gets the point across. One of the book's most distracting shortcomings is Orlando's fondness for clichéd phrases such as, "singing my praises," "walking on eggs," "turned the tide," and "sweating bullets." He also seems confused about the meaning of the word "literally," as when he describes his father "literally sucking the air out of the room."

Nevertheless, Orlando writes with a self-effacing candor, humility and lack of animosity that gives this book a gentle appeal absent from many celebrity autobiographies. Patsi Bale Cox, who has collaborated on the autobiographies of performers including Tanya Tucker and Loretta Lynn, assisted in the writing. But the book's voice sounds as if it's rising straight from Orlando's sentimental soul.

Although he's fond of using the word "ironically" to describe coincidences, irony isn't on his palette. He makes statements like "The band has become like family to me, as all bands should to an entertainer." Talking about his deceased sister, "Rhonda was my angel on earth who now resides in Heaven," he betrays no hint that he blushed when he wrote the words.

Orlando is an entertainer who knows he's not A-list and never was. He drips with awe and gratitude when he talks about the legends --- Jackie Gleason, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali --- who took an interest in him throughout his career.

He's a man who screwed up in his personal life --- marital infidelity and drug abuse, his two biggest failings --- and counts himself blessed to be coming up on 60 with a loving family and good health.

The book takes him from his boyhood in the close-knit working class neighborhood of Manhattan's West 21st Street, to his entry into show business singing demo songs, to his short-lived run as a teen idol, to his first steady job working for a music publisher. The core of the book takes place during the 1970s, those few heady years when Orlando was a star, recording a string of pop hits and appearing with Dawn in his own network variety show.

It was during Orlando's professional peak that he bottomed out personally. He watched his close friend Freddie Prinze die after shooting himself in the head, then ended up in a straightjacket after entering a mental hospital to battle a cocaine habit.

By the '80s, the drugs were over, but so was Orlando's run as a pop star. Since then, he has struggled to redefine his career, performing on Broadway and in Las Vegas and acting in a movie with Edward James Olmos. In the mid-'80s, he tried to get back into network television with the help of Bill Cosby, who wrote an episode for his own sitcom designed to create a spin-off in which Orlando would star. In a winningly candid moment, Orlando admits he blew the taping.

"The network turned down a spin off, and it's no wonder," he writes. "I've watched it several times over the years and, even with the mellowing effect of time, my performance stunk, then and now."

Orlando now lives in Branson, Missouri with his second wife, Frannie, and their daughter. He performs in Branson and does some touring. He is not rich, and he is famous mostly in a used-to-be sort of way. But he gets to sing and he can support his family, and it seems to suit him just fine.

Ultimately, this book is less interesting as a celebrity autobiography than it as the story of a family man in late middle age, finally getting it right.

--- Reviewed by Karen Jenkins Holt

Rating:
Summary: Tony is still one of my favorites!!!!
Review: Being a tremendous fan of Tony Orlando, especially back in the 70's, I was eagerly anticipating this book. Although I knew about most of the things he's written about, his breakdown is especially harrowing. There were other incidents I was very surprised about. (You have to read the book). I rather enjoyed his relating of his "Brill Building" days. One must always remember where they came from in order to understand and appreciate (as Tony does) what they have now. I was born the year he recorded Halfway to Paradise, but thanks to my brother-in-law, who purchased for me the older recordings of Tony, I love those early recordings just as much as the ones from the 70's. He is an incredibly talented performer who appreciates what was given to him and it shows in the book.

Memories of my teen-age crush on Tony were brought back with a smile when I saw the picture of Tony circa 1975, which was included in the page of pictures. That particular picture was included in the He Don't Love You album and graced the wall beside my pillow as a teen.

The one nitpick, and I don't know where the fault lies would be the editing. I guess when I read a book, I read a book and I noticed them. Other than that it was an enjoyable journey "Halfway to Paradise."

Thanks for sharing...

Rating:
Summary: A wonder in paradise
Review: Being in the enternainment business for about 40 years, and knowing Tony well, i'm glad that he has created such a wonderful account of his life. He has always been a gentleman, and he shares his pains, his joys, his loves, his losses, and all with that famous twinkle. This book is nothing but pure joy, and the paradise is closer than you think with this man's life. He and Chuck Negron are comeback stories that will teach you alot.

Rating:
Summary: Tony Orlando is my number 1 all time favorite idol!!
Review: I have been a big fan of Tony Orlando for 28 years.I got the pleasure of seeing him 6 times so far and i have met him twice.I even had the pleasure of sitting on his lap to have my picture takin with him. He is so down to earth and he has so a lot of charisma and his personality is top notch.I got the book the first day it came out.I had it read in three days.When you read the book you feel Tony is talking directly to you.I cried at times and even laughed at times while reading the book.He had overcome many hardships during his time when he was on cocaine and the suicide of his dear friend Freddie Prinze.The story was was interesting when he was stuck in a mental ward for so many hours.That must have been very scary for him.This is a man who overcame many obstacles in his life and is back stronger than ever.He is now touring around the country to sold out venues.After reading the book my admiration grew for him even more than ever and my respect for him went through the roof.This a great book for any Tony Orlando fan.I certainly was not disappointed with this book after reading it. It is a great book by the greatest entertainer in the world(in my opinion).So go get your self a copy because you will not be disappointed in the least.Tony i love ya!!!

Rating:
Summary: Paradise Found
Review: I have been lucky--no, make that blessed--to call Tony Orlando a friend. This book justifies my feelings. It is as if he sat down with you and candidly told his life's story. There are so many twists and turns along the way--from his battle with cocaine addiction and the subsequent losses of his best friend and sister to finally finding his princess. He takes you through every up and down of his life. This book makes you want to laugh, and it makes you want to cry. In all, I love it. It is a must-read for anyone who is even remotely familiar with Tony. It will, as it has me, give you a new respect for the man.

Rating:
Summary: Bless You!
Review: I just got this book for Christmas and read it in one day. Literally could not put it down. What an excellent read. A true must-have for any Tony Orlando fan! Everything you've ever wanted to know about Tony Orlando but were afraid to ask! I've been a fan since I first heard Tie A Yellow Ribbon in 1973 - I was 3 years old. ;) The book is also a great account of the NY Music industry during the 1960's and through the 1970's. Lots of great facts regarding the music industry and lots of drama regarding Tony's life. Thanks Tony for a terrific book!

Rating:
Summary: OVER MY CRUSH
Review: I loved Tony Orlando since I was a teenager, but this book burst the bubble. I think it was the menage-et-trois, quatre, cinq and all the way to huit that killed it for me among other revelations. The book is a great read, but I'm not sure who outside his fan base would pick it up. He probably was better off keeping some of those skeletons still in his closet. I think the problem here is that he is a womanizer, and probably always has been. Like I said, for a Tony fan, it's interesting, but at the end of it, I'm finally over my crush.

Rating:
Summary: Great read!
Review: I must admit that my knowledge of Tony Orlando wasn't much more than watching him on TV in the 70's with Dawn. My husband and I recently went to a concert of his in Connecticut. We loved the concert and were mesmerized by his charismatic showmanship and his energetic style. He is a truly unselfish performer that gives credit and the spotlight to his backups. One young man did a Led Zeppelin number that knocked our socks off. When someone in the audience wanted him to sign their book, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. There was obviously more to him than just "Tying a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree."

I found this book to be a real page-turner. Anyone that has an interest in the nostalgic days of music will find themselves engrossed in this honest, well told autobiography. Mr. Orlando's association with the top names in the music industry is a virtual Who's Who. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I found it to be a painfully honest look back at a young man's rise to fame, fall from grace, and his ultimate journey back up the ladder.