Monthly Archives: September 2025

Celebrating the Graceful Soul of Marilyn McCoo on Her Birthday — A Voice, A Light, A Legacy

Posted on September 29, 2025 | Leave a comment

September 30th always and forever marks a sentimental date among Marilyn McCoo’s millions of global fans. Her beauty, grace, elegance, sensitivity, and signature smile are reflected in her passionate voice—one that has touched generations of admirers.

Personally, as mentors, she and husband Billy Davis, Jr. are discerning voices in my life. Our lengthy phone fellowships alone are treasured moments—not only with two seven-time Grammy winners, but with the dearest of friends.

What is also cherished is Marilyn’s body of work. This year, with the recent loss of my mother, it has been particularly meaningful to curate over forty of Marilyn’s greatest performances. Spanning all age groups and uniting such a diverse audience with her pleasing versatility, Marilyn’s sound was a soothing and compelling presence in my home growing up.

About our special playlist*…

It is so kind of Marilyn and Billy to enjoy and give feedback about these FOREVER 5th DIMENSION compiled playlists. It’s also great fun to switch things up for each occasion, including new finds and reconfiguring the flow of key performances.

In constructing and objectively listening to the sweep of tunes for Marilyn’s birthday—from her 5th Dimension “gloss and torch” solos, to stellar if not Solid Gold TV appearances, with shades of Broadway and the movies in between—it is poignant to wind the festivities to conclusion with songs of powerful inspiration. This feels especially meaningful in these times of uncertainty and needed fortitude.

A true artist, Marilyn once advised me—decades ago, in my very first college radio interview with the duo: “Never rest on your laurels.” She has followed her own sagacity, and her stunning evolution is apparent as we experience the unfurling of this playlist. It represents the best way we can celebrate Marilyn’s essence, and how it has brought Light to our worlds—and still does.

Happy Birthday, Marilyn. We love you. May God’s continued blessings surround you.

–Robert-Allan Arno & Global Fans, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION

*Press the player below and enjoy non-stop Marilyn!:

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno–a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2025; Photos: Arno 5th McCoo/Davis Legacy Collection; intellectual property, all rights reserved

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LaMonte’s Top 5, A Celebration of “Mac!”

Posted on September 6, 2025 | Leave a comment

At FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, September is always a spectacular month with the birthdays of LaMonte McLemore on the 17th and Marilyn McCoo on the 30th. We are celebrating Mac’s special day early (due to personal travel plans that have me arriving back in the country on the night of LaMonte’s birthday!) Surely, it’s time for LaMonte to get his own Top 5 curated playlist, press the player here, for non-stop musical memories (and a bonus.) Including an exclusive glossary of the selections (below):

Forever 5th Dimension Exclusive Liner Notes:

  1. “A Love Like Ours,” co-written by LaMonte, a top fan-favorite from the seminal PORTRAIT album, with the guys (Mac, Sweets & Billy) in full force for The 5th Dimension. “Wanting to be together yet wanting to be free” is the eternal theme.
  2. “Cease Fire,” written by LaMonte, a recent “viral hit” is a potent plea for peace. LaMonte provides the spoken-word intro & outro, the talented Julio Hanson sings lead.
  3. “Black Patch” is an all-time favorite masterpiece album cut written by Laura Nyro, from INDIDUALLY & COLLECTIVELY. It features LaMonte’s solo punctuating the panoramic party with a mischievous, full-out bass line. In his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” LaMonte laughs, “It’s my most notable recorded solo spot…and I never, ever smoked reefer!”
  4. The Tonight Show appearance of The 5th Dimension featuring Florence, Ron, LaMonte, Joyce and Michael. Wait for the medley from Broadway’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and LaMonte’s charming MC and solo moment. In his memoir Mac proudly stated about The 5th Dimension’s innovative touring with such a musical show, “It’s the hardest I ever worked on the road…we kept a true Broadway schedule! A rewarding experience.”
  5. “The Singer,” co-written by LaMonte from The 5th Dimension’s LOVE’S LINES, ANGLES & RHYMES album is touchingly emoted with Billy in the lead. Mac shares, “Frank Sinatra strongly considered recording the tune, instead my dear friend Gladys Knight did a version with the Pips on the ALL I NEED IS TIME album.”
  6. BONUS 1: Lamonte refers to The 5th Dimension’s “Ashes to Ashes” as a “turntable hit”…from the LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER album, it’s a song about changing times and ultimate forgiveness…themes near and dear to Mac. This is a casual, yet staged performance as featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson providing the tune more “oomph” and social relevance.
  7. BONUS 2: The Original 5th Dimension took part in many high-profile commercials, whether for radio jingles like Coca Cola or on TV for JELLO and Chevrolet. From ’69, this is LaMonte’s personal “Move Along with Me” favorite, where each member gets a spoken word part, too!

–Curated by Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer, The Original 5th Dimension and LaMonte McLemore

“LaMonte, it’s been an honor of a lifetime to co-pen your memoir, curate your social media, and above all, have your mentorship and trusting friendship of many years. You are a true role model who has taught me (and so many others in your wide sphere) life lessons, the most important being: ‘We are only in the world to help one another.’ Thank you, too, for gracing our Board at the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation. Love and blessings always, to you, Sir Mac and Mieko.” —“Reverend Arno”

To our many FOREVER 5th DIMENSION fans & friends, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation (website link, below). We support the collegiate tuitions & related needs of brilliant Nigerian scholars, making their educational dreams come true. –Robert-Allan Arno, Executive Director

Visit & donate at https://www.AmericatoAfricaHigherEducationFoundation.com

Limited Edition Poster size print, “The World of LaMonte” charcoal composite by Ephraim Udoka now available for a tax-deductible donation to AAHEF, see link for details: https://forever5thdimension.com/2024/08/11/limited-edition-poster-offer-the-world-of-lamonte/

You may also enjoy our good friends at SoulTrack’s birthday tribute to LaMonte at this link: https://soultracks.com/story-lamonte-mclemore-birthday/

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2025, intellectual property, all rights reserved.

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