Remembering “The Sweet Man”

Dateline January 29: Recently, on the Las Vegas stage at LaMonte McLemore‘s “Black is Beautiful” event, in my speech as biographer, I got to “say their names” to rousing applause, the original members of The 5th Dimension with Mac, Marilyn, Billy and Florence present. I didn’t forget to mention the beloved Ron “Sweets” Townson…to more fervent applause. LaMonte states, “His operatic flair, his dignity and warmth, his robust pride in all our music and appearances, live forever.” Our friends at The Wrecking Crew feature this wonderful biographical salute to Ron, as follows. Also go to this Forever 5th Dimension link for “Sweet Memories of Sweets”– a unique tribute to Ron with celebrity & family quotes: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/01/

–Robert-Allan Arno

Ron Townson was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He started singing at age six and was a featured soloist in various choirs throughout his school years. Townson toured with Wings Over Jordan for eight years while still in school and was their choir director for two years. He worked his way through Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, by conducting the university and church choirs.

Townson left St. Louis to pursue a musical career in Los Angeles. He met Dorothy Dandridge and toured with her for two years, took part in the Samuel Goldwyn motion-picture production of “Porgy & Bess,” and toured with Nat King Cole. He also organized and conducted his own 35-voice a cappella choir in Los Angeles.

In 1965, Townson and fellow St. Louis natives Billy Davis Jr. and LaMonte McLemore joined female vocalists Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue to form The Versatiles. The name was a reference to their varied style in music, but producer Johnny Rivers thought the name was outdated. He wanted a newer sounding name for the group, and they soon came up with The 5th Dimension (courtesy of Ron’s wife, Bobette). They began cutting records for Rivers’ Soul City Records music label that year.

In 1976, after ten successful years with the 5th Dimension, Townson left the group. In subsequent years he made a guest appearance on the TV series “Switch,” cut records, performed solo, and formed his own group, Ron Townson and Wild Honey. He also managed five-piece soul/funk vocal group Creative Source, who enjoyed moderate success between 1973 and 1977. From 1977 to 1980 he pursued his interest in classical music.

With the encouragement of group member Florence LaRue, Ron rejoined the 5th Dimension in 1980. In 1981, he and fellow group members Joyce Wright Pierce, Michael Procter, LaRue, and McLemore starred in Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”

In 1990, the original five members of the group reunited for a New Year’s Eve performance in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a huge success. In 1991, they went on the road for select performances billed as The Original 5th Dimension. They also obtained their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Ron left the 5th Dimension for good in 1997. Townson died August 2, 2001, at the age of 68.

Special thanks to the Wrecking Crew.

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved.