Celebrating our 18th Year! A TRIBUTE TO THE MULTI-GRAMMY WINNING LEGENDARY STARS of THE ORIGINAL 5TH DIMENSION, Curated by Biographer, Robert-Allan Arno ~~ History & Current Events, Exclusive Quotes & Interviews, Rare Photo Collection! Recommended by McCoo/Davis, LaRue & McLemore!
September 30 is a memorable day for the millions of fans of Marilyn McCoo for her birthday brings a time of reflection on her artistry and exemplary persona. The 7-time Grammy award winner whose roots are with the legendary quintet, The 5th Dimension along with hubby of over 5 decades & duet partner, Billy Davis, Jr. is known for her elegance, way with a torch song, and a smooth, soulfully healing multi-octave voice that is simply as astonishingly beautiful as the woman herself. In honor of her birthday, for 2024, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is pleased to curate an expanded 40 performances–her hit solos with The 5th, her “Solid Gold” tunes, live TV segments, inspirational, Broadway and movie theme moments, yes, a real “deep dive” into the musical magic that is La McCoo.
Just hit the player here, for uninterrupted wall-to-wall Marilyn!
And special thanks to the many YouTube fans who have saved such special performances for us to savor! Today, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. perform in concert across the country, to sold-out crowds and rave reviews. Their recent resurgence with a critically acclaimed CD, “Blackbird: Lennon–McCartney Icons” and being part of the Oscar-winning docu-film SUMMER OF SOUL has brought a renewed spotlight on their eternal talents.
On a personal note, I express to a dear friend and mentor, “Marilyn, you have brought your very special grace, wisdom, faith, fairness and artistic excellence to so many lives, and certainly mine! You stand for beauty (inside and out) in the dictionary of life. Have a wonderful birthday celebration with Billy. Lots of Love and Blessings,” —Robert-Allan Arno
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2024, intellectual property, Photos: Arno 5th Legacy Collection, all rights reserved.
September 17, 2024: We celebrate the birthday of the inimitable LaMonte McLemore—the St. Louis-born founder of chart-topping, 6-time Grammy winning legends The 5th Dimension, and the group’s mellow bass for over 40 years. Their timeless tunes like the uplifting and anthemic “Up-Up and Away,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” and the romantic “One Less Bell to Answer,” and “Wedding Bell Blues,” are iconic musical tapestries for multi-generations.
LaMonte is also known as the premiere freelance photographer for JET magazine’s “Beauty of the Week” feature for 5 decades. In fact, 2024 ushered in McLemore’s new coffee table book titled “Black is Beautiful—JET Beauties of the Week” at a gala event in Las Vegas attended by over 200 of “Mac’s” closest friends & colleagues including Original 5th Dimension mates Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. and Florence LaRue. The luxurious book spotlights LaMonte’s trailblazing photography, which edifies the all-encompassing beauty of women of color.
Known for his sense of humor & style and overall kindness, “The Bronze Clark Gable” is also the author of the popular inspirational memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension (A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music)” as told to Robert-Allan Arno.
In celebration of his birthday this year, on LaMonte’s lively Facebook page of 5,000 followers, his fans, friends, and family will be invited to share their special “reflections of Mac.” And in honor of his birthday, LaMonte welcomes charitable contributions to the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation (where Mac is on the Board of Directors) at: www.AmericatoAfricaHigherEducationFoundation.com
His biographer and social media curator, Mr. Arno shares, “On behalf of worldwide fans and friends, we send our love, respect and admiration to a hero, mentor, friend, and brother like no other, LaMonte McLemore.”
Special Offer for Special Fans! This charcoal original 16 x 24 collage by the acclaimed Nigerian artist, Ephraim David Udoka is called “The World of LaMonte” and was unveiled to “oohs & ahs” at Mac’s luxurious “Black is Beautiful’ event in Las Vegas early this year. Today by popular request, it’s available in limited edition 16 x 18 high-definition prints, suitable for framing, where ALL proceeds go to the America to Africa Higher Education foundation. Pictured in the artwork, clockwise, is “classic Mac,” LaMonte’s Mama June, “Little Mac” with Grandma Gertrude, LaMonte & wife Mieko, The Original 5th Dimension, and LaMonte with his famed camera.
For a tax-deductible donation of $99 including postage & handling, you’ll receive the print, in protective mailing cylinder. (United States orders, only please.) If you are interested in obtaining this artwork that will help more Nigerian scholars’ educational dreams become a reality, request “The World of LaMonte” at PayPal.
It’s easy–here’s how! Just go to PayPal and enter as payee: VoiceActions@hotmail.com, pay $99 and indicate “LaMonte.” We thank you from the bottom of our cross-cultural hearts and say, “God bless you!”
We share this lovely message from manager & friend, Jason Winters: “Happy Birthday LaMonte! You are the GOAT! Without your talent, creativity, strength and amazing kindness, The Original 5th Dimension would never have happened. Congratulations on another race around the Sun. You are deeply loved by millions, including your Angel Mieko, Sir Robert-Allan, Marilyn & Billy and each member of our tribe. We love you. God bless you. Your Sterling Winters Family.”
From LaMonte McLemore‘s social media: We’re very sorry to note the passing of LaMonte’s friend, Tito Jackson, founding member of legends, The Jackson 5. LaMonte writes in his memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension”: “When the Jacksons came to California from Detroit in the early seventies, we both lived on the same block in Hollywood, and I’d give the kids a lift up the long, long hill of Queens Boulevard.” Our friends at Soul Tracks remember Tito’s musical accomplishments with this detailed tribute, here: https://soultracks.com/ We extend our prayers for the Jackson family.
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is so sorry to note the passing of music legend Sergio Mendes who melded the Bosa Nova sounds of Brazil with Pop, Jazz & Soul to bring glorious hits including “The Look of Love,” “Pretty World,” “The Fool on the Hill,” “Mas Que Nada” and many more. So many fans of The 5th Dimension were also fans of Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66. And Sergio Mendes & Brazil ’77 and The 5th Dimension were label mates on Bell records in the early ’70’s, with Sergio’s “Love Music” and “Vintage” albums being produced by renowned 5th Dimension producer Bones Howe. Here is our dear, Ms. Marilyn McCoo performing with Sergio Mendes when she hosted the iconic “Solid Gold” bringing a stunningly joyful medley of 2 of Sergio’s most beloved hits. –Robert-Allan Arno
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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