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Remembering the “Sweet Man,” Ron Townson

Posted on January 29, 2026 | Leave a comment

January 29th is a sentimental day among myriad fans of The 5th Dimension. As we celebrate the birthday of the late great Ron “Sweets” Townson, we instantly remember his dignity, operatic overtones, his robust presence–lovable, sometimes comedic (think the group’s appearance on the Flip Wilson Show!) and certainly prideful. Sorely missed among The Original 5th Dimension’s members–Florence, LaMonte and Marilyn & Billy–each have special remembrances of Ron. For that and more we refer you to FOREVER 5th DIMENSION’s comprehensive tribute to Ron at this link: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/01/

FILE–Memebrs of the pop group, The 5th Dimension, pose in this 1973 file photo. Shown left to right, are: Billy Davis, Florence LaRue, Ron Townson, Marilyn McCoo, and Lamonte McLemore. Townson, the centerpiece singer for the Grammy-winning group, died Thursday, Aug. 2, 2001, of renal failure at his home in Las Vegas. Townson was 68. (AP Photo/File)

Personally, I’ll never forget sitting with Ron for over 2 hours along with Florence, Billy and LaMonte (Marilyn had a previous appointment), as I (with special fan Susan Aglio) interviewed these thoughtful artists, mellow in the afternoon, coming off the exhilaration of the previous evening’s premier of The Original 5th Dimension reunion tour, 1990. Ron, in particular, expressed deep satisfaction with the quintet’s place in history and talked specifically about his solos, “Sailboat Song” and “MacArthur Park,” the latter which brought down the show, that glorious night before.

In honoring his birthday in 2026, let’s savor 3 of Ron’s most beloved tunes in the pantheon of his fan-favorite solos:

From the STONED SOUL PICNIC album, here’s the phosphorescent “Sailboat Song”: https://youtu.be/aqbd_b10R2o?si=cwF98iwD9pt2NRMz

From LIVE!, here’s the cinematic approach to Laura Nyro‘s “Eli’s Coming”: https://youtu.be/CRi7JPf3Iko?si=rusIUS1aVDXPf6Uu

From INDIVIDUALLY & COLLECTIVELY, here’s the 50’s-tinged falsetto delivery of “Band of Gold”: https://youtu.be/EmcfrJ1DU20?si=9TMbzekua5N3_4J1

BONUS: From the SOUL & INSPIRATION re-issue, here’s the unvaulted tour-de-force, “(Where Do I Begin) Theme from Love Story”: https://youtu.be/yYkm1L_C3Gk?si=ah-D53tR2gv9Wq2y

Ron “Sweets” Townson, forever in the hearts of colleagues, fans and the American Pop & Soul golden era. —Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer, The Original 5th Dimension

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Tagged champagnesoul, Eli's Coming, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Marilyn & Billy, music, pop, Ron "Sweets" Townson, Sailboat song, The 5th Dimension, Theme from Love Story

We Can Build a Dream with Love

Posted on January 19, 2026 | Leave a comment

“There’s a King at the Glory River…

and the precious king got the people to sing…

we can build a dream with love.”

from *Save the Country, written by Laura Nyro, recorded by The 5th Dimension

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION and The Original 5th Dimension’s cherished stars, Marilyn & Billy, Florence and LaMonte–each of whom I’ve just communicated with–honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and his tenants of Equality, Justice, Unity and Service.

With Respect on Dr. Martin Luther King Day, 2026,

Robert-Allan Arno

Manager Jason Winters, commented eloquently on our post as follows:

“Thank you, Sir Robert. On this blessed celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, we are reminded of Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr and The Original 5th Dimension’s excellence. Amazing. Powerful. Truth. Genius.”

*The 5th Dimension sing “Save the Country,” here:

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Tagged Dr. Martin Luther King, Florence LaRue, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, LaMonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Save the Country

With New Year Gratitude

Posted on January 1, 2026 | Leave a comment

Happy New Year 2026 and thank you to special worldwide fans and our precious stars for making FOREVER 5th DIMENSION at www.forever5thdimension.com a global go-to blog-zine, for 18 years! Here is the iconic photo placard representing the reunion tour of The Original 5th Dimension (Marilyn, Billy, Florence, Ron and LaMonte)…it spectacularly ushered in the new year of 1991 in Atlantic City.

Personally, being there in the front row as a guest of the late, great Steve Rosenblum of Sterling/Winters Management, was a thrill of a lifetime. When the announcer (who was none other than Sir Jason Winters) proclaimed, “Please welcome for the first time in 15 years…The Original 5th Dimension,” the sold-out crowd blew the roof off the place…and then our stars entered with grateful tears in their eyes, looking and sounding as perfect as ever! —Robert-Allan Arno

#TheOriginal5thDimension

#MarilynMcCooBillyDavisJr

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Merry 5th-mas Top 10 Playlist with Exclusive Quotes! (Curated by Robert-Allan Arno)

Posted on December 12, 2025 | Leave a comment

It’s that festive time of year where, for your listening pleasure, we proudly present our FOREVER 5th DIMENSION Top 10 playlist along with an array of exclusive quotes, as we bid you a “Merry 5th-mas!”:

–Here’s our FOREVER 5th DIMENSION production of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.‘s playfully funky “Jingle Bells.” LaMonte McLemore has stated both in his memoir and exclusively to FOREVER 5th, “One of my biggest regrets was that The 5th Dimension never recorded a Christmas album or even one holiday tune.” Producer Bones Howe shared with me, “Perhaps it was an oversight, but the group was so busy on the road and on TV, that when I got them in the studio, the focus was on getting hits.” In this regard, FOREVER tagged “Jingle Bells” with “Joy to the World”…it’s not the Christmas staple but the 3 Dog Night version, from The 5th’s second network TV special, and fits the holiday mood. Join the “jingle bell joy” here: https://youtu.be/R1DHctms7MI?si=JuBz183ei04AxlV2

–Marilyn & Billy deliver a poignant “Silent Night” as part of their appearance on “The Waltons Homecoming.” Sing along with them here: https://youtu.be/gBZUhZl5svk

–Billy & Marilyn featuring Soldiers for the Second Coming bring a swingin’ “It Wouldn’t Be Christmas” as they remind us about “the reason for the season,” at this link. And we thank our friends at Rewound Radio, Metromedia Radio, and Boss-Boss Radio, where FOREVER 5th assisted in getting the tune radio airplay: https://youtu.be/kzAzRNaheYA?si=_P1GzYJpnImoFi7B

—Florence LaRue released a song which holds great meaning to her, the new holiday standard, “Grownup Christmas List” on limited edition CD in the 90’s. Here she passionately delivers it live on West Coast Praze:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cj1g-RkVks

–Marilyn’s recording of “Oh Holy Night” from her WHITE CHRISTMAS album is a major fan favorite: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXq_BErKL1Q

–Here’s Florence and The 5th Dimension with an acapella “Winter Wonderland.” Cleverly recorded during the pandemic, it provided much needed uplift and hope to fans: https://youtu.be/j7kY9Tot6eU?si=Lt2IqwYXwPPNeq8c

–Marilyn shared with FOREVER 5th DIMENSION: “This performance of ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy’ with a grand choir in Washington, DC was a cherished moment.” Watch here:
https://youtu.be/S9xNbCT0Cyc

–Marilyn & Bily were thrilled to perform with Jazz legend Mel Torme on his PBS special. With a laugh, Marilyn shared exclusively with FOREVER 5th, “Billy and I wanted to be perfect for Mel and show him what these former members of The 5th Dimension could do with our harmonies!” Billy added, “We practiced at home at the piano beforehand, and we showed him…he loved us…and we loved him!”:

a. “Jingle Bells,” McCoo/Davis/Torme: https://youtu.be/Z-c8QPROsJc

b. “Sleigh Ride,” McCoo/Davis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzg66UYG1ZE

—Dick Clark presents Marilyn & Billy’s soulful Christmas Medley from ’78:

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, now in our 18th year, extends Christmas Cheer, New Year Blessings and a whole lotta love to our favorite stars, Marilyn & Billy, Florence, and LaMonte, and remembering the beloved Ron Townson. And to loyal fans & golden friends the world over, we truly appreciate you.

—Robert-Allan Arno

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Tagged Bones Howe, Dick Clark, Donna Summer, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Mel Torme, Robert-Allan Arno, The 5th Dimension

It’s Time for Cool Croonin’, dedicated to The Original 5th Dimension, Recommended by #MarilynBilly

Posted on December 9, 2025 | Leave a comment

Dear FOREVER 5th DIMENSION global fans & friends,

At this heartwarming holiday time of year, may I present the release of my new Pop-Jazz CD*…and ALL its proceeds go to the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation (AAHEF)…

*COOL CROONIN’ by Robert-Allan Arno, featuring 10 tunes including “Do Nothin’ till You Hear from Me,” “Rio de Janeiro Blue,” “The Nearness of You,” “Summertime,” “Skylark,” “What a Wonderful World,” “Nuit et Jour (Night and Day),” “Where or When” (Dedicated to The Original 5th Dimension), and just in time for Christmas, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” more.

The cost is $25.00, all CDs personally inscribed, available at this easy Stripe link:

https://buy.stripe.com/bJe8wPenwaVCeUI5sK5kk00

7-time Grammy winners Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. say, “Robert-Allan is adventurous, taking notes where he wants them to go, he’s free where he places his feelings, making the listener feel it, too. Makes us think of some of the great legends —Herb Jeffries, Louis Armstrong in some places. Wonderful jazz inflections. A beautiful deep voice which catches the ear.”

Again, the cost is $25.00, and 100% of the profit goes to AAHEF. Available at this Stripe link:

https://buy.stripe.com/bJe8wPenwaVCeUI5sK5kk00

LaMonte McLemore adds, “Robert sings with a whole lotta Soul. Mieko and I love to listen to COOL CROONIN’ in our home, ‘Rio de Janeiro Blue” is one of our favorites!”

“From my living room to yours, I’m so pleased to share these ‘favorite to sing with a jazz trio’ 10 tunes, with all proceeds going to a very special cross-cultural foundation.” —Robert-Allan Arno

Cover Art by: Ephraim David Udoka

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Tagged COOL CROONIN' by Robert-Allan Arno, LaMonteMcLemore, McCooDavis

Vote! Rewound Radio’s 28th Year Honoring the Greatest Rock/Pop/Soul Recordings!

Posted on November 28, 2025 | Leave a comment

Our good friends at RewoundRadio.com, the #1 Internet Oldies Station are always so kind to the legacies of our favorite artists of the Rock/Pop/Soul era including The 5th Dimension and #MarilynBilly...we thank them…

*Vote Now! For as few as one song… or as many as ten!

Vote for your all-time favorite songs from the list of over 32,000 choices!

Rank them in order, listing your top song at #1.

Vote just once please!

Duplicate voters and attempts to “stuff the box” to favor a particular song or act will be disqualified.

The Top 77 will be counted down on Rewound Radio December 26th

Then, the Top 77 plus hundreds of additional songs that got at least one vote will be featured all Holiday Week on Rewound Radio!

*Vote today at this link:

https://votetop77.com/vote/

Thanks for being a part of the 2025 Top 77 Songs of All Time!

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Tagged Rewound Radio, Top 77 Rewound Radio, TopHitsofAllTime

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Posted on November 27, 2025 | Leave a comment

At FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, we are truly grateful for the thousands of global fans who join us, and to our shining stars who support our vision and contribute so much to our success. –Robert-Allan Arno

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Remembering Singer-Songwriter Richard Addrisi: His Exclusive Quote About “Never My Love” by The 5th Dimension

Posted on November 22, 2025 | Leave a comment

Forever 5th Dimension is saddened to belatedly report that Richard Addrisi, the singer-songwriter best known for teaming with his older brother, Don Addrisi, to pen the mega-selling pop standard “Never My Love,” passed away on October 16, at his home in Miami. He was 84.

“The Hollywood Reporter” shared:

While writing songs for other acts and recording at Valiant Records in the 1960s, the Addrisi Brothers also were given the responsibility for discovering new talent, which led to a partnership with The Association. The brothers wrote “Never My Love” for the pop group, who took it to No. 2 on the Hot 100 in October 1967.

The enduring “Never My Love” would go on to enter the Top 15 with versions by The 5th Dimension in 1971 and by the Swedish rock band Blue Swede in 1974. In 1977, the Addrisi Brothers’ version peaked at No. 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Over the years, “Never My Love” has been recorded by more than 300 notable artists. In 1999, BMI stated that “Never My Love” was the No. 2 most-played song of all time in U.S. radio/television history, trailing only “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” made famous by The Righteous Brothers.

Also, of special note for fans of The 5^th Dimension is this exclusive quote, enthusiastically given to me by Richard for the liners of “Playlist: The Very Best of The 5^th Dimension”:

“What’s better than The 5^th Dimension doing your song? If I could catch a voice in mid-air, it would be Marilyn McCoo’s. It’s pure love.”

Fans know that interestingly, our songstress re-visited “Never My Love” on “The Many Faces of Love” project, a McCoo/Davis Jr. treatise on the great love songs, issued over a decade ago.

–Robert-Allan Arno

Listen to “Never My Love,” by The 5th Dimension, here:

Listen to the re-visited “Never My Love” by McCoo/Davis, here:

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Tagged Marilyn McCoo, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Never My Love, pop-music, Richard Addrisi, The 5th Dimension

All Treats: Looking Forward at Forever 5th!

Posted on October 30, 2025 | Leave a comment

Countdown to Halloween: “Mac (LaMonte) the Visionary” predicts a “treat” of upcoming new surprises from FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, the globally acclaimed blog trusted by the stars of The Original 5th Dimension, now in our 18th year!

Fun Notes: Tunes like “The Riverwitch” (Billy solo), and “Magic in My Life” (Florence solo with lyrics like “make me feel superstitious”), surely fit the mood of October 31st! Then there’s Marilyn‘s favorite solo, “Love’s Lines, Angles and Rhymes” which also has that mystical vibe. The author of the latter, Dorothea Joyce told FOREVER 5th DIMENSION exclusively, “There was no one better to interpret the song’s mystery of love, stream of consciousness feeling than Marilyn!” —Robert-Allan Arno

And we begin November with this prestigious event!

@thesherylleeralph and @thedivafoundation are proud to honor the legendary duo Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. at the 35th Annual DIVAS Simply Singing! 🌟

From The 5th Dimension to their timeless love story, Marilyn and Billy have spent decades using their voices to uplift, inspire, and unite generations through music. Their harmony — both onstage and in life — continues to remind us what it means to shine with purpose. ✨

Join us as we honor this dynamic duo with the Legacy of Love Humanitarian Award presented by @aarp for their extraordinary legacy of artistry, love, and philanthropy. 🥂✨

🎶 Saturday, November 1, 2025
📍 Taglyan Complex | Los Angeles
🎟️ divas35.eventbrite.com

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Tagged Billy Davis Jr, Dorothea Joyce, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Loves's Lines Angles and Rhymes Album, MagicinMyLife, Marilyn McCoo, The Original 5th Dimension, TheRiverwitch

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!: