Category Archives: Uncategorized

Happy Birthday, Our Delightful Diva, FLorence LaRue!

Dateline February 4: We’re wishing our “Delightful Diva,” the lovely and ever energetic Florence LaRue, a blessed Happy Birthday. For over 50 years, Florence has brought the music & magic of The 5th Dimension to the sold-out masses, worldwide. LaMonte mentions, “Florence has an uncanny knack of knowing everyone’s parts including her own…a great asset in keeping The 5th Dimension sound vibrant.” Marilyn confides, “During the group’s formation, when we were auditioning women for our alto position, I had a friend who was up for the job. But when Florence came to sing, we just knew she had that special something…she was the one.” New York radio legend Cousin Brucie calls Florence one of “the sweethearts of the Rock n’ Soul era.”

Personally, it was Florence who gave me my very first media interview at the great WBAU on Long Island, my college radio station. She took the time to tell me, “You know so much about us…you make me feel like I’m talking to a friend. Keep doing what you’re doing, Robert!” Impactful words from a lady who has always had a special affinity for young people, with her credential in teaching as well as multi-Grammys and millions of fans.

Let’s continue the “Florence Celebration” with our comprehensive tribute to her featuring beloved solos, “love notes” from the fans, and more celebrity quotes at this FOREVER 5th DIMENSION link: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/02/03/the-delightful-divas-birthday/

I extend lots of Love & Blessings (and flowers!) to a dear friend who possesses a heart of gold…and we can’t wait to see what adventures she & The 5th Dimension have in store for us in 2025! –Robert-Allan Arno

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-25, Intellectual Property, all rights reserved

Forever 5th Dimension Celebrates Black History Month ’25

In honor of Black History Month, Forever 5th Dimension will bring you a number of “exclusives” throughout the month. First, we proudly present this curated 21-song playlist. Songs of Soul, Blues, Gospel, Jazz and even Opera, performances of inspiration, energy and artistry, reflecting hope, peace and unity by The 5th Dimension and McCoo/Davis, including solos by Marilyn, Florence, Billy and Ron, plus unvaulted treasures. —Robert-Allan Arno

Press the player here, for uninterrupted listening:

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-25, Intellectual Property, all rights reserved

Honoring “The Sweet Man,” Ron Townson

Dateline January 29–Today we honor the birthday of a gentleman of song who stood for dignity, artistry, pride in bridging musical genres…and making history as a member of The Original 5th Dimension, Ron “Sweets” Townson. There’s not a day that goes by, that dedicated fans of The 5th Dimension don’t smile at the memory of Ron. FOREVER 5th DIMENSION presents our comprehensive tribute to him with song links and quotes from Florence, LaMonte, Marilyn & Billy, his son Kyle, plus fan and management remembrances and exclusive interview memories with Ron at this link: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/01/

–Robert-Allan Arno

Our Continued prayers…

Our continued prayers for all those affected by the fires in California, and we thank God that Marilyn & Billy, Florence, the current members of The 5th Dimension as well as our good friends, Harry Elston of the Friends of Distinction and Jayne Kennedy remain safe.

Lamonte McLemoreThe Original 5th Dimension,

and Robert-Allan Arno–FOREVER 5th DIMENSION

Remembering Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary…

January 7: We’re sorry to note the passing of trailblazing Folk music artist and Civil Rights activist, Peter Yarrow of legends, Peter, Paul & Mary, (pictured, Mr. Yarrow, lower figure). In the early ’60’s, P, P & M had the Top 10 hit with “If I Had a Hammer.”

Here’s a special Forever 5th Dimension link, as The Original 5th Dimension (Marilyn, Florence, Billy, Ron and LaMonte) perform their own soulful version of “Hammer” under the Golden Gate Bridge for the TV Special, “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done”:

Watch The 5th Dimension, here:

https://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675023500_5th-Dimension_Golden-Gate-Bridge_Vehicles-drive-on-bridge_band-members-sing?fbclid=IwY2xjawHqTDhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSJXvcOf5Oh2CUbyDM-LF0RIwPO6TcyV8caLcpIcDbcvYzc9sKySSqIZMQ_aem_R7yIT4xbrWQCqbBj0rHm-A

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

Merry 5th-Mas Top 10 Playlist

It’s that special time of year where FOREVER 5th DIMENSION brings you our Merry 5th-mas Top 10 Playlist…beloved holiday tunes by our favorite stars at this link:

I just spoke at length with Marilyn & Billy, Florence and LaMonte & wife, Mieko…each are looking forward to a bright, blessed Christmas and have exciting things on the horizon for 2025, personally I am “forever grateful” for their example, their guidance, and their golden friendships…and for the worldwide fans who stop by FOREVER 5th by the thousands, every year. We’ll have a special new year edition recap, too…stay tuned!

God’s abundant blessings,

Robert-Allan Arno

Bonus! Christmas Gift Idea! 50% off! Treat yourself or gift someone with LaMonte McLemore’s new luxurious coffee table book “Black is Beautiful” spotlighting his trailblazing photos for JET Magazine’s iconic Beauty of the Week feature. Available at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Beautiful-JET-Beauties-Week/dp/1648230474

Flashback! Fans & Friends meet with Marilyn & Billy after the show…the Colors of Christmas Tour, 2017, a Forever 5th Dimension memory collage! (Featuring Jeffrey Graham, Jonathan Weitz, Susie Paige, Cynthia M. White, Miguel de Leon, Pastor Martha Vink, Jim Kelly, Ronald Lange, and yours truly, Robert-Allan Arno)

Forever 5th Dimension, copyright 2008-24, all rights reserved

Vote IN REWOUND RADIO’s All-time Top Tunes!

A special message from our dear friends at REWOUND RADIO, the #1 online Oldies radio station, who are always so kind to the musical legacy of The 5th Dimension and its original stars…

Time’s running out! If you still haven’t chosen your favorite(s) in our once-a-year vote for the Top Songs of All-Time, we want your opinion…so please vote today!

Yes, get your song choices in ASAP for the 27th edition of Rewound Radio’s Top Songs of All-Time. You can choose from one to ten of your favorite songs, and it’s easy to do!

Results are festively aired the day after Christmas through new year at http://www.rewoundradio.com

Remember, you can vote for any artist, any era, any style! We need your vote this year, to make this our best year ever!

Vote at the following easy link (It’s a 100% safe
and secure link):

https://musicradio77.com/voting2024.html

Remembering the multi-Faceted Brilliance of Quincy Jones

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is so sorry to note the passing of Quincy Jones at age 91, a maestro of American music and a titan of the entertainment industry who influenced nearly every popular genre, produced landmark albums and earned 80 Grammy Award nominations.

In a prolific career that spanned more than 70 years, Mr. Jones established himself as a behind-the-scenes force and a gifted artist in his own right, working as an arranger, composer, songwriter and performer.

He left indelible imprints on Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop and dozens of film and television soundtracks, collaborating with some of the most illustrious names in the American songbook, from Count Basie and Dinah Washington to Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin and Paul Simon. He produced Michael Jackson’s smash record “Thriller,” as well as Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of “The Color Purple” and the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” — projects that helped bolster his legacy as a hit-maker and media mogul.

Chris Rizik at SoulTracks adds, “Notably, Jones was at the center of the cultural event of the 1980s, the benefit single ‘We Are the World,’ which he produced and helped organize. It would go on to win yet another Grammy for him and raise over $100 million for African aid.”

Marilyn McCoo participated in 1992’s Grammy-winning “Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration” project produced by Quincy. Watch the video here, note Marilyn front row left.

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION extends its respect, condolences and prayers to Quincy Jones’s family and myriad global fans. –Robert-Allan Arno

Trick or Treat!

Exclusive from LaMonte McLemore‘s social media which I’m proud to curate as we celebrate Halloween at FOREVER 5th DIMENSION. —Robert-Allan Arno

Happy Halloween Friends, Family, and Fans! Here I am as the crystal ball-reading wizard, from The 5th Dimension‘s “Travelling Sunshine Show” TV special circa ’71…and I’m seeing into the future my beautiful daughter, Ciara having holiday fun today!” —LaMonte

Halloween Bonus! Join the Original 5th Dimension for their version of The Adams Family, produced by Forever 5th Dimension, here:

Songs by The 5th Dimension/#MarilynBilly in a Halloween Mood:

–“The River Witch” (Billy Solo) from “Living Together, Growing Together”

–“Night Song” from Marilyn & Billy’s “The Two of Us”

–“Magic in My Life” (Florence Solo) from “Earthbound”

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved, Photos: Courtesy LaMonte McLemore and Ciara McLemore

Florence & The 5th Dimension’s “Fall Festival” of November Tour Dates!

The 5th Dimension featuring our Delightful Diva, Ms. Florence LaRue, will be making the month of November, 2024 a Champagne Soul festival of greatest hits, in concert with their spectacular show at venues in Evansville, Indiana (Victory Theater, Nov 2), Summterville, Florida (Tracy Performing Arts Center, Nov 9), South Boston, Virginia (The Prizery, Nov. 21), Greensboro, North Carolina, (The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Nov. 22).

Florence and The 5th Dimension are looking forward to seeing you!

Please go to the official 5th Dimension website for more concert/venue details at this link:

Tour – List – The 5th Dimension – Official Website (5thdimensionlive.com)