June 26 is the birthday of Billy Davis, Jr., one of our greatest, most enduring singers and a true American treasure. The multi-Grammy winning Soul stylist, with roots as lead vocalist of The Original 5th Dimension–along with his beautiful wife of soon-to-be 53 years and duet partner, Marilyn McCoo–has an instantly recognizable voice like no other. Fellow-Original 5th mate Florence LaRue declares, “No one sounds like Billy…he can break your heart!” And his best comrade, 5th-founder LaMonte McLemore punctuates his own memoir (“From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension’) acknowledging, “Billy’s lead on ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ says it all.” Mac adds, “Not to mention his ‘havin’ church’ on our biggest hit ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.'” Yes, the man who implored the world to “Sing along with The 5th Dimension” invited us to share in his own harmonic journey….that of an incomparable legacy artist, a stellar showman, and an inspiring faith-based figure. Marilyn reminds, “Billy always says, ‘What comes from the heart goes to the heart.'” Heralded by the likes of Jimmy Webb (“Up-Up and Away”), Eddie Levert (The O’Jays) and Maurice White (Earth, Wind & Fire), Billy humbly sums up his talents best of all, “That’s not me…it’s God working through me!” Happy Birthday Billy, we love you and honor your excellence with these notable 30 solos.
–Robert-Allan Arno, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION-updated 2023.
Exclusive! About the solos: Last year when Forever 5th Dimension initially curated them, Billy & Marilyn were so kind to call me to express their appreciation and chat about “the art of Billy.” There’s nothing like having the 1st Couple of Pop n’ Soul, my dear friends and mentors, sharing a phone chat. Actually, Marilyn and I were waving poetic on Billy’s inimitable way with a lyric and technique of “hitting the note bulls-eye center” from ballads to rock, to rhythm & blues. Then we shared how exceptional tunes made for such an emotional response–“A Change Is Gonna Come,” and the more obscure “Someone is Standing Outside,” and “Broken Wing Bird,” among the 24. Billy’s humble and endearing response, “I can’t believe that’s me you two are talking about!” made us all chuckle…loudly! And so, for 2023, Forever 5th added more to the list for a round 30, including the seamless “Hi-Di-Ho” (from the vaults), the edgy “Diggin’ for a Livin’,” the romantic ballad, “Stay with Me,” “I’m Blessed” from Billy’s Gospel album, and how could we have ever forgotten, in the first place, both the rollicking, “Half Moon,” and the soul-stirring anthem, “When a Man Loves a Woman!” And adding “Lean on Me Always” (from Earthbound) juxtaposes so well with “Help!” (from Billy & Marilyn’s most recent project, Blackbird: Lennon/McCartney Icons). Just press the button at the video above (and stay here for uninterrupted playing*) to start your Billy’s Birthday listening party!
*Here’s the song list: 1. A Change is Gonna Come/People Gotta be Free, 2. The Worst that Could Happen, 3. Speaking with My Heart, 4. Summer’s Daughter, 5. There Never Was a Day, 6. Feelin’ Alright?, 7. I Got a Feelin’, 8. Three Steps from True Love (7″ Single), 9. You’re Good Enough for Me, 10. Silly Love Songs, 11. Stay With Me, 12. It’ll Never be the Same Again, 13. Half Moon, 14. Diggin’ for a Livin’, 15. Leave a Little Room, 16. Requiem: 820 Latham, 17. Let It Be Me, 18. Misty Roses, 19. When a Man Loves a Woman, 20. The Singer, 21. Broken Wing Bird, 22. Rosecrans Blvd., 23. Ticket to Ride, 24. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, 25. Someone is Standing Outside, 26. Hi-Di-Ho, 27. Help!, 28. Lean on Me Always, 29. I’m Blessed, 30. The Love of God, (Reprise): Let the Sunshine In
Special thanks: Billy & Marilyn, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Steve Rosenblum and all at Sterling/Winters KIWW.
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-23, intellectual property, all rights reserved; Photos: The Arno 5th Legacy/ McCoo-Davis Collection
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
You must be logged in to post a comment.