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!
“We mourn with the world, the loss of the force who was the incomparable Ms. Tina Turner. Trailblazer, Survivor, Legendary Icon…earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”
“Our hearts are broken by the loss of iconic and beloved Tina Turner. Many people do not know that Billy became friends with Tina when she was Anna Mae Bullock, during the time period Billy’s artist agency represented Ike & Tina (in St. Louis). We love Tina, we grieve with her family, friends and millions of fans.”
~~Courtesy Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.’s social media
Here is a SOLID GOLD classic as host Marilyn McCoo joins Gordon for a seamless take on his memorable hit, “If You Can Read My Mind.” Lightfoot comments, “It’s the kind of song that can be sung by two…people like us,” and FOREVER 5th DIMENSION couldn’t agree more about the music world’s smoothest of voices merging for this poignantly delightful version.
Harry Belafonte, the barrier-breaking singer, actor, and activist who became a major force in the Civil Rights Movement, has died at 96. He broke racial barriers and balanced his activism with his artistry in ways that made people around the world listen. Belafonte was an EGOT holder for his Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. LaMonteMcLemore and The 5th Dimension family knew Mr. Belafonte; Mac reflects, “Style, class, and unity are what Harry Belafonte stood for as a performer…and as a man.” –Robert-Allan Arno
#CaliforniaSoul California fans, don’t miss the dazzling Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension live in concert at the Saban Theatre, this Friday, April 14!
From Billy Davis, Jr.’s Gospel album of ’82 in collaboration with Rev. James Cleveland, we bring you the peace and “night to day” panoramic grace of “Praise Ye the Lord,” Billy’s duet with wife, Marilyn McCoo. This video, produced by Forever 5th Dimension, spotlights a song that is a perfect vehicle to bring Easter blessings to fans, the world over. Marilyn & Billy even performed it for the Pope, and still do at their Praise worship ministry. Personally, I was honored to make “Praise Ye the Lord” the closing theme of my New York drive-time Gospel music radio show, “Gospel Gold” at the time of the project’s release…it became a hit in the New York inspirational market and remains a rare fan favorite to this day. —Robert-Allan Arno
#FlowerPower We’re wishing lovely Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension an incredible time on the high seas, as they delight fans, setting sail today on the Flower Power Cruise! See Florence & The 5th (Patrice, Floyd, Sidney and Leonard) when they come to a town near you. Follow their 2023-4 Champagne Soul touring schedule at this link: https://5thdimensionlive.com/tour-list/
(Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a Production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-23, Intellectual Property, all rights reserved. Photos: Arno Legacy Collection)
The final weekend of Black Heritage Month ’23, and we bring you some beloved & rare photos of TheOriginal 5th Dimension, reflecting their intoxicating energy and spirit of joyful elegance.
–R-AA for Team Mac
Enjoy our curated Forever 5th Dimension playlist, “21-plus” tunes celebrating The 5th Dimension stars’ artistic excellence and diverse stylings, here:
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION FLASHBACK! Since the title of this edition is “Joy!” how pertinent to share an excerpt, full circle, from our very first edition of Forever 5th, the summer of 2008. This had to do with the musical play JOY and how The 5th Dimension’s recording of “Sky and Sea” came about:
In the “rarities” department and back to my recent visit with Marilyn & Billy, our discussion got into the fan-fave “Sky and Sea,” from The 5th Dimension’s INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY album. Marilyn beamed, “Oh, I LOVE that song…it’s such a happy tune…and I love a vocal challenge!” I also remember Marilyn talking about this tune on the radio over NYC’s WNEW-AM way back in the ’70’s with the great broadcaster William B. Williams. She noted that just as the group discovered “Aquarius” while attending Broadway’s “Hair,” “Sky and Sea” was “found” while attending the musical “Joy” by the socially conscious singer, actor and writer, Oscar Brown, Jr. Composed by Johnny Alf and performed in the play by Brazilian jazz musician Sevuca–employing accordion and breathy vocal phrasing–the song was a head-turning experience.
Arranged for The 5th Dimension by the renowned and Jazz-oriented Bob Alcivar and producer BonesHowe, “Sky and Sea” is a wordless vocalese that is as complex as aptly joyful, invoking romantic ocean breezes, a hand-in-hand walk on the sand, a romp in the surf, and perhaps a seagull or two to observe the entire affair! In my discussion with the late Ron Townson back in the ’90’s, I remember him being extremely proud of this endeavor as well, noting, “That’s why The 5th Dimension is also embraced by jazz lovers, winning the Playboy All Star Jazz Polls!”
“Now I’m going to have to listen to ‘Sky and Sea’!” Marilyn enthused during our chat, while Billy laughingly agreed. And on that charming note, I’ll conclude our installment of “Forever 5th Dimension” by suggesting we all join Marilyn & Billy and take a listen to this incredible outing!
Very Special Thanks with Love to: Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. #MarilynBilly, LaMonte & Mieko McLemore, the Townson Family, Bones Howe, Miles Robinson, Steve Rosenblum, Jason Winters, Patrice Morris, Floyd Smith Armstrong, Leonard Tucker and Sidney Jacobs…and the worldwide fans, the readers of Forever 5th Dimension for over 15 years! —Robert-Allan Arno
Visit the official website of Florence & The 5th Dimension for 2023 touring schedule & more, here:
(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: Arno 5th Legacy Collection)
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