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 & Remembering LaMonte McLemore
Remembering legendary and pioneering talk show host, Phil Donahue who has passed away at 88. Growing up on Long Island, New York, it was easy if not thrilling to scour the new week’s TV Guide to see what show or shows The Original 5th Dimension would appear on…so many! In the early ’70’s, the Phil Donahue Show was still not available in the New York area, but we could see (in the TV Guide) that Channel 8, WTNH, the Connecticut ABC affiliate did feature the show. And lo and behold, The 5th Dimension were Phil’s special guest one afternoon, I had noticed! As with the iconic David Frost talk show episode dedicated to The 5th (during the “Light Sings” and “Love’s Line’s” era), at Forever 5th Dimension we hope these rare interviews with Mr. Donahue and Mr. Frost will become available in the future. Today, we remember an interviewer who loved many pop & soul musical artists (including Mary Wilson, Sammy Davis, Jr., as well as The 5th Dimension) and surely brought out their best with compelling questions and trailblazing audience participation. —Robert-Allan Arno
Limited Edition Poster Offer! Hi Fans, Friends & Family! This is Robert-Allan Arno and as many of you know, LaMonte McLemore is on the Board of Directors of my foundation, America to Africa Higher Education Foundation–AAHEF, a public charity commencing our 3rd year, that provides collegiate scholarships & related needs to brilliant Nigerian students, who would otherwise not be able to afford university fees. We’re honored, too that Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., their management, and Florence LaRue also support the work of AAHEF.
This charcoal original 16 x 24 collage by the acclaimed Nigerian artist, Ephraim David Udoka is called “The World of LaMonte” and was unveiled to “oohs & ahs” at Mac’s luxurious “Black is Beautiful’ event in Las Vegas early this year. Today by popular request, it’s available in limited edition 16 x 18 high-definition prints, suitable for framing, where ALL proceeds go to the foundation. Pictured in the artwork, clockwise, is “classic Mac,” LaMonte’s Mama June, “Little Mac” with Grandma Gertrude, LaMonte & wife Mieko, The Original 5th Dimension, and LaMonte with his famed camera.
For a tax-deductible donation of $129 including postage & handling, you’ll receive the print, in protective mailing cylinder. (United States orders, only please.) If you are interested in obtaining this artwork that will help more Nigerian scholars’ educational dreams become a reality, request “The World of LaMonte” at PayPal.
Just go to PayPal and enter as payee: VoiceActions@hotmail.com, pay $129 and indicate “LaMonte.” We thank you from the bottom of our cross-cultural hearts and say, “God bless you!”
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd. copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved. “The World of LaMonte” by Ephraim David Udoka, copyright 2024, all rights reserved.
It’s Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. in concert, outdoors, free-to-the-public, on Tuesday, August 13, 8pm at the 101st Season of the Redlands Bowl Performing Arts Summer Music Festival!…
The Redlands Bowl, Redlands, California welcomes the iconic duo behind such hits as “You Don’t Have to be a Star (To be in My Show),” “Your Love” and “Shine on Silver Moon.” The two have received seven Grammy Awards and multiple gold and platinum records, performing at sold-out concerts worldwide, all following their years as part of the iconic group, The5th Dimension, whose hits include “Up, Up & Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” and “Wedding Bell Blues.”
Get set to celebrate the great Rock and Soul duets of the ’60s, ’70s, and beyond!
Our Forever 5th Dimension West Coast Fans & Friends, and those flying in, go here for more information:
Concert Photo Courtesy Deniserose Torres, Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24. All Rights Reserved.
Dateline July 26, 2024: Happy 55th wedding anniversary to more than the 7-time Grammy winning “First Couple of Pop & Soul”…they are our longtime musical angels, role models of not only artistic excellence but for exemplifying a faith & friendship-based union…for so many of us, a couple who has brightened, informed, and enhanced our lives for decades. They are part of our extended family. Individually, two of the most distinctive voices of the Rock n’ Soul era, and collectively, simply adorable. Here’s to you, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., FOREVER 5th DIMENSION wishes you a lovely anniversary celebration…with much more magic to come! We send many Blessings with lots of Love,
—Robert-Allan Arno & Worldwide Fans
Over 30 Songs! Enjoy this Forever 5th Dimension playlist, “Marilyn & Billy’s Greatest Moments” with lots of hits, fan favorites, and rarities…over 30 specially curated recordings and television appearances throughout their vast careers. Hit the video here, for non-stop MarBill!:
And thank you Marilyn & Billy, for your gracious feedback on our curated compilation, as follows:
Dear Robert:
We just finished watching your beautifully produced tribute to our 55th anniversary! What a special way for you to show your love, understanding and appreciation of our work and our lives together!! The performances you chose and the order in which you presented them was genius. The way you wove our years together with the group and the performances since then captured the essence of who we are and what has mattered in our lives. We laughed and we cried as we enjoyed so many wonderful memories. Some videos you chose we didn’t remember at first, but it was wonderful to see them again!
Thank you, Robert, for your love, your ongoing support and commitment to our work and our lives!
Forever 5th Dimension is so sorry to learn of the passing of the wonderful Abdul “Duke” Fakir at 88, the energetic and elegant original member of Motown legends, The Four Tops, who remained with the group for over 7 decades. His longtime friend, LaMonte McLemore of The Original 5th Dimension reflects: “We all came up together, respected our mutual talents, rooted for, admired and learned from one another on our roads to success. The dapper Duke was truly a great guy.”
Enjoy this special version of “Stoned Soul Picnic” as recorded by “The Magnificent 7″…The Supremes and The Four Tops:
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
Happy New Month, Fans & Friends…July promises to be a memorable one! Let’s see, besides celebrating “The 4th & The 5th” (*inside joke among fans, see link below!), later this month FOREVER 5th DIMENSION enters its 17th year, while #MarilynBilly celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary…and Florence & The 5th Dimension (Patrice, Floyd, Sidney & Shane) have a mini–West Coast tour at these venues:
—On Fri. July 19th, Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension appear at The Coach House in beautiful San Juan, Capistrano. Tickets at this link:
June 29: On this date in 1969, The 5th Dimension appeared onstage with a song list that included “Doncha Hear Me Callin’ to Ya,” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” at the now legendary Harlem Cultural Festival. Their performance along with other greats was filmed over the course of the festival’s multi-days and is part of the recent hit Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” produced by Questlove. Marilyn McCoo (pictured) and BillyDavis, Jr. also appear, giving current commentary. As #BlackMusicMonth24 comes to a close, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION honors this important date in 5th Dimension History.
–Robert-Allan Arno
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2024, intellectual property, all rights reserved. Photos: Arno 5th Legacy Collection
It’s always nice to get notes of appreciation, not only from our stars, but from worldwide fans. Here’s one FOREVER 5th DIMENSION received a few days ago from “mnhmeza“:
I love this blog so very much!! Thank you! I was born the year The 5th Dimension began but remember their wonderfully uplifting music from my older brothers. Recently I have been watching YouTube videos of their performances and just love it! I love reading about them and seeing old photos. I especially love the inspiration from Billy Davis Jr. & Marilyn McCoo! Their wonderful devotion to each other and their love story and the dedication they have to their spiritual journey! Thank you for sharing the updates on them and the original 5 (and tributes to Ron since his passing).
—Forever a Fan of The Original 5th Dimension
Thank you so kindly, “Forever a Fan” for your enthusiasm and support of Forever 5th Dimension and our favorite stars–yesterday, today, and always! —Robert-Allan Arno
LaMonte McLemore‘s lovely, iconic friend Jayne Kennedy Overton cued us into this thrilling “just in!” LaMonte‘s new coffee table book, available on Amazon, “Black is Beautiful: JET Beauties of the Week” has been featured in an in-depth article by Jennifer Wilson in the New Yorker Magazine. You can read the entire article (complete with beautiful women!) at this link, courtesy of Govinda Gallery. Ms. Wilson observes, “McLemore knew to make the images look as natural as the beauties he was tasked with shooting.” —Robert-Allan Arno
June 26: It surely makes sense that Black Music Month encompasses the birthday of one of America’s greatest Soul singers, Mr. Billy Davis, Jr., and more than that, a personal role model, friend, pastoral mentor, and a true gentleman. Join FOREVER 5th DIMENSION at the link below*, for our updated for ’24 in-depth tribute to Billy with quotes from the stars and a song playlist that features new additions—now OVER 30 of his greatest curated solos, from all “decades & dimensions” of his career, and approved by McCoo & Davis, themselves…
Friends & Fans, join the star-studded “Billy Celebration” and hit the player for “non-stop Sir Davis” at this link as we say, “Happy Birthday Blessings, Billy…with our admiration, love and deep appreciation,”
Or for your convenience, just stay here and hit the video player for non-stop Billy!
Just in! We’re sharing this very special sentiment from Marilyn & Billy’s management, as expressed by Jason Winters: “Billy, wishing you the best birthday ever. You are the essence of God’s greatness. You walk in His Grace and Power. Your heart, wisdom, love and artistry are supreme. The Original 5th Dimension and the duo of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr, could never have happened without the miracle of you.”❤️
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-24, intellectual property, all rights reserved
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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