McCoo & Davis star in New Show: “When a Man Loves a Woman”

Posted on January 28, 2024 | Leave a comment

On Saturday, February 10, 8 PM at the McCallum Theater, Palm Springs! 7-time Grammy Award winners, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. star in the world premiere of their new musical show, When a Man Loves a Woman, celebrating their 15 Gold and 3 Platinum records, including their current release, “blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons,” which continues to garner standout reviews. This musical love story features their interpretation of the Percy Sledge classic, “When A Man Loves A Woman,” along with masterworks from Jimmy Webb, Laura Nyro, Bacharach/David, Ashford & Simpson, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lennon/ McCartney, their new rendition of the Bill Withers classic: “Just the Two of Us,” as well as music from the Gershwin songbook, Broadway, Motown, and of course the hits from their time with the Original 5th Dimension. “After nearly 60 years together, it is indeed, our story,” Marilyn & Billy share. “People will hear the soundtrack of their lives and ours, and we’ll be supported onstage by our phenomenal cast including Cynthia Bass, Cydney Davis, and André Carthen, our choreographer. You’ll experience images, photography and private moments never-before seen on stage.”

FEBRUARY 10, 2024 | BUY TICKETS

SATURDAY 8:00 PM

ATTENTION: Tickets.com is the McCallum Theatre’s ticket fulfillment service. Your account details are available at https://mpv.tickets.com/?agency=MCMT_MYTIXX&orgid=52409. If you do not have a Tickets.com account, you will have the opportunity to create one, during the checkout process.

For more information, go to: https://www.mccallumtheatre.org/index.php/shows/2023-2024-season/marilyn-mccoo–billy-davis-jr

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Remembering The “California Soul” & Many Styles of Marlena Shaw

Posted on January 22, 2024 | Leave a comment

We’re noting the passing of versatile singer, the vivacious Marlena Shaw. Ms. Shaw had the memorable hit of “California Soul” before The 5th Dimension re-envisioned it for the “Stoned Soul Picnic” album and a subsequent single. The musician — who influenced music in the jazz, soul, disco and R&B genres, according to CBS news, “spanned generations and was often featured and sampled in popular media, TV commercials and other songs. Her lyrics often communicated the strength of the Black American community and Black women at a time when there was a great racial divide in the country and its politics.”

Hear the classic “California Soul” as we remember the magical might of Marlena Shaw, here:

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A Cool winter Cruise!

Posted on January 19, 2024 | Leave a comment

#CoolCruise Sail the high seas with The 5th Dimension and other music legends for a cool Caribbean cruise, Jan. 27 thru Feb. 3, 2024! Book today at 866-3OLDIES! Less than 100 cabins left! Our Delightful Diva, Ms. Florence LaRue and The 5th (Patrice, Leonard, Sidney & Floyd) hope to see you for this special musical adventure! (More details below) –R-A A

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The “Black is Beautiful” Event Honoring LaMonte McLemore: Las Vegas, 1/6/24

Posted on January 9, 2024 | Leave a comment

A Forever 5th Dimension Exclusive by Robert-Allan Arno: 

This past weekend in Las Vegas, LaMonte McLemore celebrated with his angelic wife Mieko and a few hundred closest friends, the dawning of his newest book to be released for Valentine’s Day ’24, an artful one titled “Black is Beautiful,” representing his photographic excellence for JET magazine’s trailblazing Beauty of the Week, featuring some of the loveliest women of our time. Cherished family and musical friends, colleagues from the publishing, modeling and media world, gathered and gave testimonial speeches or sang songs at a special event, for a special man, MC’ed by Harry Elston of the Friends of Distinction. The members of The Original 5th Dimension, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. and Florence LaRue brought extra excitement by their attendance as did Jayne Kennedy Overton. Love was truly in the air for our visionary, Mac! Enjoy some select event photos courtesy of LaMonte’s daughter, Ciara and the Arno/5th Legacy Collection. You can start pre-ordering the luxurious coffee table book “Black is Beautiful” on Amazon and other relevant sites.

Billy, Marilyn and Florence all gave charming recounts of precious “5th history” and how it was LaMonte who was the catalyst for it all…while MC Harry Elston looked on!

Sitting at the head table with my heroes & sheroes, Florence, Marilyn, Billy, and LaMonte and giving a testimonial speech in honor of “Mac” as his biographer plus repping the millions of worldwide fans of The 5th Dimension, saying the star’s names onstage as they are rightfully due and remembering Ron “Sweets” Townson, too…was a dream come true.

Florence LaRue, Robert-Allan Arno, Billy Davis, Jr., Marilyn McCoo

Underscoring LaMonte’s motto: “We are only in this world to help one another,” garnered knowing “Amen’s” from the crowd as I unveiled this wonderful artwork that I had commissioned for the festivities by gifted Nigerian artist Ephraim David Udoka, titled “LaMonte’s World.” It was met by an appreciative collective “Ahhh!”

At Forever 5th Dimension, as we begin our 16th year, we are always happy to take you to exclusive events like the unforgettable “Black is Beautiful” soiree and bring you more up-to-the-minute surprises as 2024 unfolds. –Robert-Allan Arno

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, intellectual property, all rights reserved, Photo Credits: Arno/5th Legacy Collection, Ciara McLemore, Cynthia Shelby, and artwork by Ephraim Udoka, copyright 2024, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd.

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New Year Wishes

Posted on December 29, 2023 | Leave a comment

First, thank you to our good friends at Rewound Radio, the #1 oldies internet station. The 5th Dimension scored beautifully in their annual Top 77 of all-time, with “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and “One Less Bell to Answer”…complete with special intros by Billy and Marilyn. Listen all holiday week through New Year’s Day at http://www.RewoundRadio.com

Did you know that in 1967 during this final week of December, according to our friends at The Wrecking Crew, the all-time favorite concept album of the members of The Original 5th Dimension and worldwide fans alike, “The Magic Garden” was issued? Break out a re-issue CD, a vintage album, or go to YouTube and re-live the entire song cycle…or savor special tunes like “Carpet Man,” “Paper Cup” (a personal fave of Michael Jackson, by the way), “Orange Air,” “The Girls’ Song,” or the quintessential “Worst that Could Happen.” And the “MG” theme was inspired by Jimmy Webb‘s girlfriend, as the lyric goes, “all over Susan”…

16,918 Views! As we enter a new year, our 16th of Forever 5th Dimension, I deeply thank our stars, Marilyn & Billy, Florence and LaMonte, their respective management, and fans the world over, not only from all throughout the United States but visitors from Brazil, Germany, England, Japan, Australia, Canada, Africa, and more. Yes, just in from WordPress, we’ve had a lovely crowd of 16,918 viewers at the blog in ’23! Look for 2024 surprises from each of our stars, including concert dates for “The First Couple of Pop n’ Soul,” Marilyn & Billy, Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension, and much more (hint: Mac has a cool caper upcoming, too!) We’ll have the scoop on it all, right here!

In God’s Loving Kindness,

Robert-Allan Arno

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

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A Merry 5th-Mas Top 10 Playlist

Posted on December 16, 2023 | Leave a comment

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

Florence & The 5th Dimension (Patrice, Leonard, Sidney & Floyd) present this charming version of “Winter Wonderland,” a treat for the ears & eyes! Watch here:  https://youtu.be/j7kY9Tot6eU

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: https://youtu.be/1fauCVAixwU 

Florence warmly sings “My Grown-Up Christmas List” live on West Coast Praze:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cj1g-RkVks

Marilyn’s recording of “Oh Holy Night” is a fan favorite:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXq_BErKL1Q

A powerful “Solid Gold” duet with Marilyn & Donna Summer, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_WC7v4PlXU

Marilyn shared with us:  “This performance of ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy’ in Washington, DC was a cherished moment.” Watch here:
https://youtu.be/S9xNbCT0Cyc

Marilyn & Bily were thrilled to perform 2 tunes with Jazz great Mel Torme:

Jingle Bells:  https://youtu.be/Z-c8QPROsJc

Sleigh Ride:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzg66UYG1ZE

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

Christmas & New Year Blessings to our favorite stars, Marilyn & Billy, Florence, and LaMonte, remembering the beloved Ron, and to loyal fans & golden friends, the world over! —Robert-Allan Arno

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd, copyright 2008-2023, all rights reserved.

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Inspiration from Billy & Marilyn!

Posted on December 13, 2023 | Leave a comment

Joyful News! The Soldiers for the Second Coming ministry with Pastor Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo just signed with the Your Home TV network featured on Roku for an 8-episode season in 2024. Billy & Marilyn also have a new YouTube channel in conjunction with the ministry…enjoy their Christmas season perennial, “It Wouldn’t Be Christmas,” and be sure to subscribe!

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Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension Star in “Home for the Holidays” with Peabo Bryson, Oleta Adams, Haley Reinhart!

Posted on November 24, 2023 | Leave a comment

On Friday Dec. 8, 8pm at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, California, usher in the holiday season with “Home for the Holidays” starring this festively impressive lineup: renowned R&B and Soul Grammy winner Peabo Bryson (If Ever You’re in My Arms Again; By the Time This Night Is Over); four-time Grammy-nominated songstress Oleta Adams (Get Here); our Forever 5th Dimension favorite prolific Pop/Soul group and 6-time Grammy winners, The 5th Dimension featuring Florence LaRue (Up, Up and Away; Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In); and Platinum-certified singer-songwriter and American Idol finalist Haley Reinhart (Lo-Fi Soul).

For tickets, go to this link:

https://tickets.cerritoscenter.com/7091

Pictured Above: Lovelies Patrice Morris and Florence LaRue in a Christmas mood!

Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-15, intellectual property with photos from the Arno 5th Legacy Collection, all rights reserved.

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Vote Rewound Radio’s Yearly Top-77 of all time!

Posted on November 18, 2023 | Leave a comment

VOTE NOW! It’s a yearly holiday season tradition and moreover, we celebrate their 25th year! It’s time for you to vote in the #1 internet Oldies Station, Rewound Radio’s Top 77 of the year…the all-time top hits of the Rock n’ Soul Era!

Personally, we thank Program Director Allan Sniffen and Rewound for continually being so kind to the legacy of The 5th Dimension, the stars themselves, Marilyn & Billy, Florence, LaMonte and our beloved Ron, and their hits, their rarities, and Forever 5th Dimension, too.

Friends and fans, go on over and vote any way you wish, it’s so much fun and so easy to do! Your personal favorite Top 10 tunes of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s – thru now, of all time! Results will be aired on RewoundRadio.com the day after Christmas all week through to New Year’s Day!

Go to this link right now, and make your unique musical vote: 

https://musicradio77.com/voting2023.html

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Remembering the Trailblazing Richard Roundtree

Posted on October 24, 2023 | Leave a comment

LaMonte McLemore is so sorry to announce the passing of his good friend, Richard Roundtree. Born July 9, 1942, he was an iconic actor as well as a former model. Roundtree is noted as being a trendsetting action hero for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film “Shaft,” and its four sequels, released between 1972 and 2019. For his performance in the original film, Roundtree was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor in 1972. LaMonte notes in his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” that Mr. Roundtree was not only a trailblazer as an African American actor (who continued to work over decades), but for courageously bringing public awareness to the sensitive issue of male breast cancer, as a survivor. Richard was part of a circle of dear longtime friends, which includes The Original 5th Dimension family, Harry Elston of The Friends of Distinction, Jayne Kennedy, Freda Payne, and more. LaMonte extends heartfelt prayers for Richard’s family and many fans, and punctuates, “Richard was an icon…and always a gentleman.”

—Robert-Allan Arno for Forever 5th Dimension and #TeamMac

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