Legendary DJ Cousin Brucie Convinces Tony Orlando To Come Out Of Retirement

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Cousin Brucie and Tony Orlando

Cousin Brucie and Tony Orlando

On June 5, the Garden State Arts Foundation (GSAF) will present FOR FREE the recently-retired Tony Orlando (a longtime resident of Union City and Hasbrouk Heights). Orlando, after 64 years in show business, and a longtime advocate for the U.S. military, was coaxed out of retirement for this one show as a military tribute to our troops around the world. Now in its 41st year, the GSAF will have Cousin Brucie present the Francis Albert Sinatra Tribute to the Performing Arts honor to Orlando. Established in 1993, this Honor is “awarded to individuals, corporations, or [other] philanthropic foundations dedicated to enriching New Jersey’s cultural life…”

The show, at the Garden State Arts Center in Holmdel, will start with a set by Canada’s Andy Kim. In 1968, he co-wrote and sang lead on “Sugar Sugar” by The Archies before going solo in 1969 with “Baby I Love You.” His “Rock Me Gently” was #1 in 1974.

THIS JUST IN:  As we were going to press, we learned Orlando will also be appearing Tuesday June 3 at the New Jersey Hall of Fame to meet and greet fans and host a question-and-answer session. The NJHOF is located at One American Dream Way in East Rutherford, Court G, Level 3. Tickets for June 3 can be purchased at https://www.americandream.com/venue/new-jersey-hall-of-fame/tickets.

Free tickets to the June 6 event can be had by visiting https://gsafoundation.org/cousin-brucie-presents-tony-orlando-2025-06-05/.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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