Tony Orlando & Dawn – “He Don’t Love You” (Elektra) 1975

Written by Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield and Calvin Carter. Produced by Hank Medress and Dave Appell. From the 1975 album, “He Don’t Love You” Flawless revival of Jerry Butler’s #7 hit from 1960; although Jerry’s original version was titled “He Will Break Your Heart”. Maybe the texture of this recording was right because most of the participants were there when Jerry’s version was in the Top-10. Tony Orlando was an Epic recording artist scoring with hits such as “Bless You” and “Halfway To Paradise”, Hank Medress was with the Tokens and Dave Appell was the bandleader at Cameo Parkway Records. Tony Orlando & Dawn’s version got to #1. It was their third recording to do so, following “Knock Three Times” in 1971 and “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” in 1973. The album named after the hit reached #20 and it was their eighth album to chart. The female members of Dawn were Telma Hopkins and Joyce Vincent Wilson.