Monthly Archives: June 2024

On This Date…

Posted on June 29, 2024 | Leave a comment

June 29: On this date in 1969, The 5th Dimension appeared onstage with a song list that included “Doncha Hear Me Callin’ to Ya,” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” at the now legendary Harlem Cultural Festival. Their performance along with other greats was filmed over the course of the festival’s multi-days and is part of the recent hit Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” produced by Questlove. Marilyn McCoo (pictured) and Billy Davis, Jr. also appear, giving current commentary. As #BlackMusicMonth24 comes to a close, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION honors this important date in 5th Dimension History.

–Robert-Allan Arno

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2024, intellectual property, all rights reserved. Photos: Arno 5th Legacy Collection

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We Get Fan Letters!

Posted on June 27, 2024 | Leave a comment

It’s always nice to get notes of appreciation, not only from our stars, but from worldwide fans. Here’s one FOREVER 5th DIMENSION received a few days ago from “mnhmeza“:

I love this blog so very much!! Thank you! I was born the year The 5th Dimension began but remember their wonderfully uplifting music from my older brothers. Recently I have been watching YouTube videos of their performances and just love it! I love reading about them and seeing old photos. I especially love the inspiration from Billy Davis Jr. & Marilyn McCoo! Their wonderful devotion to each other and their love story and the dedication they have to their spiritual journey! Thank you for sharing the updates on them and the original 5 (and tributes to Ron since his passing).

—Forever a Fan of The Original 5th Dimension

Thank you so kindly, “Forever a Fan” for your enthusiasm and support of Forever 5th Dimension and our favorite stars–yesterday, today, and always! —Robert-Allan Arno

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LaMonte & HIs JET Beauties, Featured in The New YorkER Magazine!

Posted on June 27, 2024 | Leave a comment

LaMonte McLemore‘s lovely, iconic friend Jayne Kennedy Overton cued us into this thrilling “just in!” LaMonte‘s new coffee table book, available on Amazon, “Black is Beautiful: JET Beauties of the Week” has been featured in an in-depth article by Jennifer Wilson in the New Yorker Magazine. You can read the entire article (complete with beautiful women!) at this link, courtesy of Govinda Gallery. Ms. Wilson observes, “McLemore knew to make the images look as natural as the beauties he was tasked with shooting.” —Robert-Allan Arno

The Unfiltered Charm of Jet’s Beauties of the Week…The New Yorker
The luxurious coffee table book, “Black is Beautiful–JET Beauties of the Week” by LaMonte McLemore edited by Chris Murray is available now, at 25% off, at Amazon, here:  https://www.amazon.com/-/es/LaMonte-McLemore/dp/1648230474

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Happy Birthday to One of America’s Greatest Soul Singers

Posted on June 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

June 26: It surely makes sense that Black Music Month encompasses the birthday of one of America’s greatest Soul singers, Mr. Billy Davis, Jr., and more than that, a personal role model, friend, pastoral mentor, and a true gentleman. Join FOREVER 5th DIMENSION at the link below*, for our updated for ’24 in-depth tribute to Billy with quotes from the stars and a song playlist that features new additions—now OVER 30 of his greatest curated solos, from all “decades & dimensions” of his career, and approved by McCoo & Davis, themselves…

Friends & Fans, join the star-studded “Billy Celebration” and hit the player for “non-stop Sir Davis” at this link as we say, “Happy Birthday Blessings, Billy…with our admiration, love and deep appreciation,”

Robert-Allan Arno & Billy’s Worldwide Fans  

*LINK: June | 2023 | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION

Or for your convenience, just stay here and hit the video player for non-stop Billy!

Just in! We’re sharing this very special sentiment from Marilyn & Billy’s management, as expressed by Jason Winters: “Billy, wishing you the best birthday ever. You are the essence of God’s greatness. You walk in His Grace and Power. Your heart, wisdom, love and artistry are supreme. The Original 5th Dimension and the duo of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr, could never have happened without the miracle of you.”❤️

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

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A Very Special Letter

Posted on June 18, 2024 | Leave a comment

Approaching our 17th year of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION in late July, I can never take for granted the support of our “favorite stars”—Florence, LaMonte, Marilyn & Billy— and their respective colleagues, management, and family. Today, I share this lovely note received from the First Couple of Pop n’ Soul, as they have recently checked in with the festivities here:

June 17, 2024

Dear Robert,

Your FOREVER 5th DIMENSION pages are absolutely amazing!!  What a collection of our history and the wonderfully creative ways you lay things out!  You are a true artist, and we love to see your work.  You have captured our lives in a most beautiful way; we are so blessed to have you as our “supreme archivist.” 

Love,

Billy & Marilyn

P.S. Billy says thanks for acknowledging him and LaMonte on Father’s Day!

Credit: Charcoal rendering by Nigerian Artist, Ephraim David Udoka titled “50 Years of Love” commissioned by Robert-Allan Arno, a gift for Marilyn & Billy’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. Limited edition prints available to fans, soon to be announced with all proceeds to charity.

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

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Father’s Day Reflection

Posted on June 16, 2024 | Leave a comment

We’re wishing dads, uncles, brothers, mentors, teachers, pastors and yes, superb singers…all the great men who have influenced us in such positive transformative ways…a Happy & Blessed Father’s Day! ❤ Taking this personal opportunity to acknowledge LaMonte McLemore and Billy Davis, Jr. who have greatly impacted me in how to conduct myself in “the entertainment biz”…and in life. These gentle yet dynamic men are dear familial friends, who have guided and mentored me to this day…it is a blessing to have them on the proverbial journey and with this being the 1st Father’s Day without my beloved dad, their presence is underscored, all the more.
—Robert-Allan Arno

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Remembering the Cornerstone Who was “Mama June”

Posted on June 3, 2024 | Leave a comment

June 3: As reported tenderly by LaMonte McLemore‘s sweet sister Joan on her Facebook page, today would have been June McLemore’s 110th birthday. Affectionately known as “Mama June” to all who knew her, the adjectives: wise, witty, statuesque, inclusive, and incandescent can all be applied to this very special, ahead of her time lady. Mama June was the sole remaining parent of the members of The Original 5th Dimension for many years until her passing, remarkably at age 106. It’s no wonder Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Florence LaRue heralded her with special appearances at her 100th and subsequent birthday celebrations held in her native St. Louis. LaMonte’s lovely wife Mieko shares, “Not a day goes by that I don’t apply the wisdom of Mama June or her mother, LaMonte’s Grandma Gertrude.” LaMonte writes fondly about his mother in his hit memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” stating, “That’s my Mama and I get choked up speaking about her…so I’m glad to know others speak of her with such affection.” Mama June…a true cornerstone that defines the ethos of the original members of The 5th Dimension. —Robert-Allan Arno

Charcoal collage titled “The World of LaMonte McLemore” by Nigerian artist Ephraim David Udoka, copyright 2024, all rights reserved.

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Happy 29th Anniversary, Mac & Mieko!

Posted on June 1, 2024 | Leave a comment

Happy New Month, Fans, Family & Friends. June 1 marks LaMonte & Mieko McLemore‘s’ 29th wedding anniversary! As LaMonte declares warmly in his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” with a re-write of his classic tune, dedicated to Mieko: “A Love Like Ours…was meant to be.” ❤❤ —Robert-Allan Arno

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