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!
Join Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension for their fall ’23 tour, stops including Leisure World, Laguna Woods Village, CA on Sept 9, Wildwood Convention Center, NJ on Oct 14, and The Sellersville Theater, PA on Oct. 15–2 shows! A concert with 6-time Grammy winning delightful diva Ms. LaRue and The 5th Dimension is an event for the entire family—all the Greatest Hits, moves n’ grooves, audience participation and special surprises! They always “Let the Sunshine In!” –R-A A
#SundaySummerSmiles It’s late August beach weather across the US, and we bring you this special shot. Who’s the gifted young man portrayed, and who took this photo?
Here’s our exclusive answer, from LaMonteMcLemore‘s hit memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” of which I’m the as-told-to author. It’s a really cute, rib-tickling one: The photo of Stevie Wonder was taken by our famed photographer, LaMonte in ’64, and graced Stevie’s album cover for, “At the Beach.” LaMonte shared:
Then there was “Little” Stevie Wonder, the boy prodigy. Our photo session took place on Hermosa Beach, where Stevie, complete with harmonica, asked me, “Mac, can you get me some wine?” “You’re underage and I don’t wanna go to jail,” I replied loud enough for all to hear then whispered, “OK, but don’t tell nobody!” So, we sat on the sand, sipping the grape, and to this day, every time I know someone is going to be seeing Stevie, I’ll request, “Just walk up to him and say, ‘Now, about that wine!’ Stevie always laughs. “Oh, it’s that damn LaMonte, still telling everyone!”
—Robert-Allan Arno
It’s a great summer read, the hip, hit memoir by LaMonte McLemore as told to Robert-Allan Arno, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” 2nd Edition, available at Amazon! LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Hobo-Flats-5th…/dp/0692307362
Forever 5th Dimension and From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension, a production/imprint of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2023, 2014, respectively, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
7/26/23: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., the 7-time Grammy winning original lead singers of legends, The 5th Dimension…the “You Don’t Have to be a Star” duo dubbed the First Couple of Pop & Soul, celebrate their 54 years of marriage on July 26, 2023. The ever-beautiful Marilyn, the debonair Billy, stand for artistic joy as they continue to tour, appearing on concert stages and in cabaret venues to their greatest reviews, record new music, and brighten our TV & social media screens. More so, they represent the spiritual sweetness of a union that stands the test of time. Yes, they always put their elemental friendship and trust in God first, in all they do.
Forever 5th Dimension honors “MarBill” with this newly curated playlist spotlighting 30+ of their greatest duet hits featuring recordings from all decades of their career, beloved live performances on TV & worldwide stage, rarities, and our own Forever 5th Dimension videos (produced over the past 15 years). Personally, I send my love and appreciation to my dearest of friends, colleagues, and role models…they are true angels to myself and millions of fans, the world over. #Happy54, our “MarBill,” —Robert-Allan Arno
Press the YouTube player below to savor 30 (plus!)* of the Best of Marilyn & Billy…a thrilling musical journey, just stay here at Forever 5th for uninterrupted listening:
*Playlist Contents: Just Like Starting Over, Your Love (Johnny Carson Tonight Show), I Believe in You & Me (Live), How Do You Keep the Music Playing (Live), Soul & Inspiration (Unvaulted-Forever 5th Dimension), The Two of Us (Toyko Music Festival), I Hope We Get to Love in Time (McCoo/Davis TV show-Forever 5th Dimension), I’m So Glad I Found You (Forever 5th Dimension), Bye Bye Baby, What Does It Take (To Win Your Love), Together Let’s Find Love (Live), You are So Beautiful (Live, Philippines), The Greatest Love of All (CMN telethon), Land of Make Believe (McCoo/Davis TV show-Forever 5th Dimension), Sad Eyes with My Reason to Be is You (Live), I Thought It Took a Little Time (Sha Na Na show), Shine on Silver Moon (Soul Train), Perfect Dancer (Skatetown soundtrack), Jingle Bells (with Mel Torme), Every Night, If I Ain’t Got You…California Soul (Marlyn/Billy Live CD), You’re All I Need to Get By (with Captain & Tennille), Easy Way Out, Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think Of?), Praise Ye the Lord (Forever 5th Dimension), Keep the Lovelight Burning, You Make Me Feel Brand New (Forever 5th Dimension), And I Love Her, You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show), Bonus: Guess the Lyrics (Today Show), Epilogue: Silent Night (The Waltons soundtrack)
Special thanks to the special fans for their YouTube collections utilized as part of our Marilyn & Billy Top 30
With appreciation to Kathy Ireland/KIWW, Jason Winters and Steve Rosenblum
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, copyright 2008-2023, a Production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., Intellectual Property, all rights reserved; Photos: The Arno 5th Legacy/McCoo/Davis Collection, courtesy Deniserose Torres, Artwork: “50 Years of Love” commissioned by Robert for #MarilynBilly’s 50th by Nigerian artist Ephraim David Udoka
LaMonte (McLemore) says it well on his FB page, today:
#ThrowbackThursday With record heatwaves around the country and the world, let’s cool off with this rare photo, found by my biographer Robert-Allan Arno a couple of years ago, which then went viral on the ‘net! I myself didn’t remember it…but what fun times with my forever friends, Marilyn, Billy, Florence and our beloved Ron. from Mac
Thanks, Mac! Fans & Friends, enjoy these quintessential “Summertime Moves & Easy Grooves” by The 5thDimension curated by FOREVER 5th DIMENSION. Just press the YouTube player below and stay here at Forever 5th, for uninterrupted listening….in other words, come on & “surry down” as we go “On the Beach” with “Summer’s Daughter.” Then “Walk Your Feet in the Sunshine” to a “Stoned Soul Picnic” while “High on Sunshine” with a touch of the grape aka “Sweet Blindness,” and later on under a “Half Moon!” Brothers & Sisters, “It’s a Great Life” and a “Groovy Thing” as we pray that “Light Sings” all over the world while we sing a “Sailboat Song” under “Sky…” and over “…Sea!”
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., intellectual property, all rights reserved, copyright 2008-2023.
Happy 4th of July, 5th style! The 5th Dimension‘s musical version of The Declaration of Independence (called “The Declaration”) in many ways, was a precursor to Broadway’s “Hamilton.” Watch this watershed performance on the Ed Sullivan show, the moment was highly meaningful to the group and to the fans, alike. ~~Robert-Allan Arno
Then, in 5th circles we always greet the day after by saying “Happy July 5th!” “The July 5th Album, More Hits by the Fabulous 5th Dimension” featured incredible cover versions. Guess what? The entire July 5th Album, sequenced, is now featured on YouTube, at 5th Dimension, official! Enjoy at this link (press here for uninterrupted playing!):
BONUS! Longtime fan, Doug Charles asks Forever 5th: “I’ve been waiting for July 5! I forget, how did it get its name?” Forever 5th Dimension answers: Released August 15, 1970, the rejoinder album to Soul City’s mega-Greatest Hits, this one featuring fan faves, covers, B-sides and the A-side “Go Where You Wanna Go,” is not as bombastic as Greatest Hits aka like the 4th of July (& fireworks!), but more like the 5th (of July)…that’s the gist! Pretty clever!
–Robert-Allan Arno
Fans & Friends, may your month of July be a happily blessed one, at month’s end we celebrate #MarilynBilly’s wedding anniversary with something special., stay tuned!
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2024, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
For “uninterrupted Billy”…just press this player for OVER 30 of his greatest solos, with in-depth Forever 5th Dimension “liners” below, the playlist, too!!
June 26 is the birthday of Billy Davis, Jr., one of our greatest, most enduring singers and a true American treasure. The multi-Grammy winning Soul stylist, with roots as lead vocalist of The Original 5th Dimension–along with his beautiful wife of soon-to-be 55 years and duet partner, Marilyn McCoo–has an instantly recognizable voice like no other. Fellow-Original 5th mate Florence LaRue declares, “No one sounds like Billy…he can break your heart!” And his best comrade, 5th-founder LaMonte McLemore punctuates his own memoir (“From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension’) acknowledging, “Billy’s lead on ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ says it all.” Mac adds, “Not to mention his ‘havin’ church’ on our biggest hit ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.'” Yes, the man who implored the world to “Sing along with The 5th Dimension” invited us to share in his own harmonic journey….that of an incomparable legacy artist, a stellar showman, and an inspiring faith-based figure. Marilyn reminds, “Billy always says, ‘What comes from the heart goes to the heart.'” Heralded by the likes of Jimmy Webb (“Up-Up and Away”), Eddie Levert (The O’Jays) and Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Billy humbly sums up his talents best of all, “That’s not me…it’s God working through me!” Happy Birthday Billy, we love you and honor your excellence with these notable 30-plus solos.
Exclusive! About the solos–reflections from ’23: Last year when Forever 5th Dimension initially curated them, Billy & Marilyn were so kind to call me to express their appreciation and chat about “the art of Billy.” There’s nothing like having the 1st Couple of Pop n’ Soul, my dear friends and mentors, sharing a phone chat. Actually, Marilyn and I were waving poetic on Billy’s inimitable way with a lyric and technique of “hitting the note bulls-eye center” from ballads to rock, to rhythm & blues. Then we shared through appreciative tears how exceptional tunes made for such an emotional response–“A Change Is Gonna Come,” and the more obscure “Someone is Standing Outside,” and “Broken Wing Bird,” among the 24. Billy’s humble and endearing response, “I can’t believe that’s me you two are talking about!” made us all chuckle…loudly! And so, for 2023, Forever 5th added more to the list for a round 30, including the seamless “Hi-Di-Ho” (from the vaults), the edgy “Diggin’ for a Livin’,” the romantic ballad, “Stay with Me,” “I’m Blessed” (adding to “The Love of God”) from Billy’s Gospel album, and how could we have ever forgotten, in the first place, both the rollicking, “Half Moon,” and the soul-stirring anthem, “When a Man Loves a Woman!” And adding “Lean on Me Always” (from Earthbound) juxtaposes so well with “Help!” (from Billy & Marilyn’s most recent project, Blackbird: Lennon/McCartney Icons).
Just in!For ’24 we’ve added 3 more to the curated list: A live performance of “I Know I’ll Never Love this Way Again,” made famous by Dionne Warwick, a high-spirited “Shake Your Tambourine” with The Original 5th Dimension, as meaningfully performed in ’68 in front of our brave, appreciative troops on their way to Vietnam, and a gem of the late ’50’s spotlighting Billy’s unmistakable earliest roots with The Emeralds titled “That’s the Way It’s Got to Be.”
Remember, just press the button at the video above (and stay here for uninterrupted playing) to start your Billy’s Birthday listening party!
Here’s the playlist: 1. A Change is Gonna Come/People Gotta be Free, 2. The Worst that Could Happen, 3. Speaking with My Heart, 4. Summer’s Daughter, 5. There Never Was a Day, 6. Feelin’ Alright?, 7. I Got a Feelin’, 8. Three Steps from True Love (7″ Single), 9. That’s the Way It’s Got to Be, 10. You’re Good Enough for Me, 11. Silly Love Songs, 12. Stay With Me, 13. It’ll Never be the Same Again, 14. Half Moon, 15. Shake Your Tambourine, 16. Diggin’ for a Livin’, 17. Leave a Little Room, 18. Requiem: 820 Latham, 19. Let It Be Me, 20. I Know I’ll Never Love this Way Again, 21. Misty Roses, 22. When a Man Loves a Woman, 23. The Singer, 24. Broken Wing Bird, 25. Rosecrans Blvd., 26. Ticket to Ride, 27. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, 28. Someone is Standing Outside, 29. Hi-Di-Ho, 30. Help!, 31. Lean on Me Always, 32. I’m Blessed, 33. The Love of God, and (Reprise): Let the Sunshine In
Special thanks: Billy & Marilyn, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Jason Winters, Kathy Ireland and all at Sterling/Winters KIWW.
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved; Photos: The Arno 5th Legacy/ McCoo-Davis Collection, #MarilynBilly “listening” photo by LaMonte McLemore
Join our delightful diva, Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension (Patrice, Leonard, Sidney and Sean) for an Atlantic City-style evening of Champagne Soul. That’s Friday, June 23 at Resorts Casino Hotel for all the Greatest Hits, Grammy award-winning classics, fan faves & new surprises, cool costumes n’ choreography, and audience participation!
The 7-time Grammy winning original stars of The 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.@mccoodavis will be on @GalvestonIsland for a spectacular concert on Saturday, June 17 as part of the community’s Juneteenth Celebration. Tickets are on sale now! At this link:
Dateline June 3: We’re remembering the birthday of LaMonteMcLemore‘s cherished mother, warmly known to all as “Mama June.” So many of you knew of her inspiring example or had the pleasure to be in her incandescent presence. A witness to history, Mama June left us at age 106 in 2020. She will always be deeply meaningful to her family, friends, and to The 5thDimension family & fans. —R-A A for #TeamMac
First, in our 15th year of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, a big thank you to all those stopping by from around the world. I am continually astounded when WordPress sends the monthly stats, indicating thousands of visitors from Japan, Germany, England, the Philippines, France, Brazil, and the US, of course! The enduring legacy of joy that The 5th Dimension holds, their eternal harmony and excellence surely transcends.
Sharing a little story that seems perfect for #BlackMusicMonth, this past Memorial Day weekend, I finally got to the magnificent Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. We had written about it in LaMonte McLemore’s hit memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” when a curator from the museum came for lunch to visit with Mac and wife Mieko in their Las Vegas home, and secure one of The 5th Dimension’s costumes…this was an ornately gold-embroidered black jacket with long golden fringe, circa the 80’s. And yes, I’ve seen photos of this that very kind fans supplied—being Mac’s jacket, reflecting his tall frame, it looked especially spectacular on the museum mannequin.
Upon arrival, I immediately made my way to the fourth floor, where an homage to music, TV, and film icons prevails. It was a rather emotional experience. And I walked and walked in circles, finding LaMonte’s jacket to no avail! After reaching out to a lovely curator, she did a search and lo and behold, the jacket was just rotated out the previous week, to make room for other legend’s outfits! She noted the museum currently has in storage thousands of donated or on-loan costumes to choose from for exhibit. What was thrilling was to see the seemingly lit, majorly jewel-encrusted jacket worn by LutherVandross, the post-mod patchwork design, early 70’s costuming of The Jackson 5, and the elegant velvet tuxedo of Mac’s good friend, Bubba Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pips. The cool denim vibe of Country’s Charlie Pride juxtaposed by a strikingly petite outfit worn by Diana Ross from an early scene of “Lady Sings the Blues” were set off by a long, in-action placard of Tina Turner, extra poignant in that we just lost the Queen of Rock. And as I took more time to “investigate,” yes, there was The 5th Dimension (photo by our friend, Arnie Lee) positioned on top of Nat “King”Cole (one of Billy Davis, Jr.’s personal influences), in the section that highlighted “cross-over artists.” I’ll leave you, dear fans, with a shot of The 5th and Mr. Cole (above), and a copy of the “narrative” that accompanies it (below). Powerful words about that transcendent quality possessed by The 5th Dimension, Mr. Cole, and really, so many more in this hopeful age of diversity, unity and mutual respect.
–Robert-Allan Arno
The 5th Dimension at Eastern Michigan University, ’71. The 5th Dimension’s music crossed genres, hitting the pop, rhythm & blues, and adult contemporary charts.
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2023, intellectual property, all rights reserved; Photos: The Arno 5th Legacy Collection
from Mac 
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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