LaMonte Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Hit Memoir & Valentine’s Day…

Posted on February 14, 2025 | Leave a comment

From LaMonte McLemore‘s Social Media…

Happy Valentine’s Day, fans, friends & family. ❤ Guess what?! Today also marks the 10th anniversary of my hit memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension—a Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography & Music,” co-authored by Robert-Allan Arno. So many of you came out to our initial book signing events in Las Vegas, St. Louis, and New York City, others purchased the book online by the thousands over this decade, making it a success every year of its existence. Recommended by Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., it’s a tale of music, magic, history, humor and lots of love. For 2025, 50% of all book royalties will go to the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation–AAHEF, where I’m proudly on the Board of Directors.

*So please, keep ordering my memoir, make it a gift for a fellow music lover, and know your purchase is going to a great cross-cultural charity. –Love from LaMonte McLemore❤

*“From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” is available at Amazon and where all online books are sold!

#LaMonteMcLemoreMemoir

#BlackHistoryMonth

#The5thDimension

For more information visit http://www.AmericatoAfricaHigherEducationFoundation.com

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

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Birthday Wishes for Mieko McLemore

Posted on February 10, 2025 | Leave a comment

Dateline February 10: We’re wishing LaMonte’s lovely wife, Mieko, a Happy & Blessed Birthday today. As humble as she can be, so many of you know that Mieko’s integrity is her hallmark. In his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” LaMonte highlights his wife’s delightful sense of humor…and sums up the tale of their charming love story and now, nearly 30 years of marriage so touchingly, re-working the lyric of a fan favorite song he penned: “A love like ours…was meant to be.” In their Las Vegas home, Mieko proudly displays a photo of LaMonte’s mother, Mama June and Mieko’s father, walking hand-in-hand. It stands for Mieko’s heartfelt spirit of unity and exceptional grace.

Please join FOREVER 5th DIMENSION and LaMonte in wishing Mieko a very special day. Personally, she is an honorary sister to me, and I cherish our bond. –Robert-Allan Arno

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Happy Birthday, Our Delightful Diva, FLorence LaRue!

Posted on February 4, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

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Forever 5th Dimension Celebrates Black History Month ’25

Posted on February 3, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

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Honoring “The Sweet Man,” Ron Townson

Posted on January 29, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

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Our Continued prayers…

Posted on January 11, 2025 | Leave a comment

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 McLemore—The Original 5th Dimension,

and Robert-Allan Arno–FOREVER 5th DIMENSION

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Remembering Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary…

Posted on January 7, 2025 | Leave a comment

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

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Merry 5th-Mas Top 10 Playlist

Posted on December 8, 2024 | Leave a comment

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:

A Merry 5th-Mas Top 10 Playlist

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

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

Posted on November 23, 2024 | Leave a comment

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

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Remembering the multi-Faceted Brilliance of Quincy Jones

Posted on November 4, 2024 | Leave a comment

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

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