Join our “Delightful Diva,” Ms. Florence LaRue with Patrice, Floyd, Leonard and Sidney for “the Florida tour!” The 5th Dimension will be performing at these venues throughout March! To our friends & fans in Florida (and nearby), experience all the Champagne Soul Greatest Hits, the music, the magic, the family-oriented fun that is truly The 5th Dimension standard of excellence!
#EastCoastMarBillDates The iconic Darlene Love puts it so wonderfully about these upcoming east coast concert dates: “I’m so-so HONORED to be sharing the stage with multi-Grammy award winning husband & wife duo Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. formerly of The 5th Dimension at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Long Island (Friday, April 12th, 8pm) and Bergen PAC in New Jersey (Sunday, April 14th, 7pm). 🏆🎶⭐️🎵👩❤️💋👨🎤💿
East Coast Fans & Friends, get your tickets while they last! And it’s so nice to know that super fan Hiromi is coming in all the way from Japan, for both events!!
February 2024: For the stars of The Original 5th Dimension, Black History Month is full of excitement.
LaMonte McLemore’s new coffee table book debuts for Valentine’s Day. “Black is Beautiful” features the “Beauty of the Week” models he photographed over 50 years. The high-toned art book, with fiercely elegant images of women of color that jump off the page, is totally fresh while underscoring Mac’s trailblazing eye. (Pre-order at Amazon, here: Amazon.com: Black Is Beautiful: JET Beauties of the Week: 9781648230479: McLemore, LaMonte, Murray, Chris: Books)
For starters, LaMonte is the cover story for the February edition of Las Vegas Black Image Magazine, available free of charge throughout Las Vegas, and online at their website starting Feb 1. Mac talks about the secrets of his photography, read it here, online: https://lasvegasblackimage.com/…/02/LVBI-February2024.pdf
The First Couple of Pop n’ Soul, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. debut their electrifying autobiographical new musical show, “When a Man Loves a Woman” at the glorious McCallum Theater in Palm Desert on Saturday, Feb 10, 8pm. See all the details, including link to purchase tickets at Forever 5th Dimension, here: McCoo & Davis star in New Show: “When a Man Loves a Woman” | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION
And the lovely Delightful Diva, Florence LaRue celebrates her birthday on Sunday Feb. 4. Florence’s energy shines, as she tours and leads today’s 5th Dimension in concert through the year, throughout the country. Her book, available on Amazon, “Grace in Your Second Act” promotes Florence’s message of mature good health–physically and spiritually. Read Forever 5th Dimension’s comprehensive tribute to Ms. LaRue, including fan favorite “Florence solos” at this link: Florence LaRue: Celebrating a Delightful Diva’s Birthday | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION
For Black History month, 2024, the spirit of The 5th Dimension and its original stars is current…and forever! –Robert-Allan Arno
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
Dateline January 29: Recently, on the Las Vegas stage at LaMonte McLemore‘s “Black is Beautiful” event, in my speech as biographer, I got to “say their names” to rousing applause, the original members of The 5th Dimension with Mac, Marilyn, Billy and Florence present. I didn’t forget to mention the beloved Ron “Sweets” Townson…to more fervent applause. LaMonte states, “His operatic flair, his dignity and warmth, his robust pride in all our music and appearances, live forever.” Our friends at The Wrecking Crew feature this wonderful biographical salute to Ron, as follows. Also go to this Forever 5th Dimension link for “Sweet Memories of Sweets”– a unique tribute to Ron with celebrity & family quotes: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/01/
–Robert-Allan Arno
Ron Townson was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He started singing at age six and was a featured soloist in various choirs throughout his school years. Townson toured with Wings Over Jordan for eight years while still in school and was their choir director for two years. He worked his way through Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, by conducting the university and church choirs.
Townson left St. Louis to pursue a musical career in Los Angeles. He met Dorothy Dandridge and toured with her for two years, took part in the Samuel Goldwyn motion-picture production of “Porgy & Bess,” and toured with Nat King Cole. He also organized and conducted his own 35-voice a cappella choir in Los Angeles.
In 1965, Townson and fellow St. Louis natives Billy Davis Jr. and LaMonte McLemore joined female vocalists Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue to form The Versatiles. The name was a reference to their varied style in music, but producer Johnny Rivers thought the name was outdated. He wanted a newer sounding name for the group, and they soon came up with The 5th Dimension (courtesy of Ron’s wife, Bobette). They began cutting records for Rivers’ Soul City Records music label that year.
In 1976, after ten successful years with the 5th Dimension, Townson left the group. In subsequent years he made a guest appearance on the TV series “Switch,” cut records, performed solo, and formed his own group, Ron Townson and Wild Honey. He also managed five-piece soul/funk vocal group Creative Source, who enjoyed moderate success between 1973 and 1977. From 1977 to 1980 he pursued his interest in classical music.
With the encouragement of group member Florence LaRue, Ron rejoined the 5th Dimension in 1980. In 1981, he and fellow group members Joyce Wright Pierce, Michael Procter, LaRue, and McLemore starred in Fats Waller’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’.”
In 1990, the original five members of the group reunited for a New Year’s Eve performance in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a huge success. In 1991, they went on the road for select performances billed as The Original 5th Dimension. They also obtained their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ron left the 5th Dimension for good in 1997. Townson died August 2, 2001, at the age of 68.
Special thanks to the Wrecking Crew.
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
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.”
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
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:
#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
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.
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.
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.
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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