Billionaire John Catsimatidis celebrated his 76th birthday at Cipriani 42nd Street during his 77 WABC radio station’s annual gala. The event honored singer and WABC host Tony Orlando, who reunited with his backup group, Dawn. Catsimatidis and his wife, Margo, have a tradition of throwing a September bash for their pals with Virgo birthdays, which started years ago at the Metropolitan Club but was moved to Cipriani after they took over WABC. This year’s event included at least 40 other Virgos celebrating with the couple.
Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent, the duo known as Dawn, had not performed with Tony Orlando in decades. However, John and Margo flew them in for a big surprise at the gala. They sang hits like “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” “Candida,” and “Knock Three Times,” which thrilled the audience. Attendees at the event included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, David Paterson, Anthony Weiner, radio legend Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, former “SNL” comic Joe Piscopo, and more.
Catsimatidis donned a glittering red tuxedo jacket for the occasion, and both Orlando and “Cats” received a military tribute. US Marines presented a flag that was flown over Congress to Tony and John, adding a patriotic touch to the event. The gala was a star-studded affair with notable guests like Bill de Blasio, Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez, John’s daughter Andrea Catsimatidis, Bill O’Reilly, Larry Kudlow, Jeanine Pirro, Lally Weymouth, and anchor Ernie Anastos in attendance.
The event marked a special celebration of both Catsimatidis’ birthday and the accomplishments of Tony Orlando, whose performance with Dawn was a highlight of the night. The reunion of the iconic singing group brought a sense of nostalgia and excitement to the gala. The gala has become a popular tradition for the Catsimatidis couple, who use the event to honor their friends and guests born under the Virgo sign. Moving the gala to Cipriani allowed for a larger celebration and a broader, more inclusive guest list.
Overall, the event was a glamorous and memorable evening filled with performances, honors, and tributes to the accomplished individuals in attendance. The combination of music, entertainment, and a patriotic military tribute added a special touch to the celebration. With a lineup of influential guests and iconic performers like Tony Orlando and Dawn, the gala at Cipriani 42nd Street was a fitting way to honor Catsimatidis’ birthday and the success of his radio station, WABC.
