Over the past 12 weeks, I’ve had the great honor & pleasure, as his biographer, to present with LaMonte McLemore on his Facebook page, “LaMonte’s Music Mondays.” Our goal was to bring joy during these unpresented times, but we found ourselves helping to bring revelation, as evidenced in today’s entry…one Mac and I are most proud to feature. I’m so pleased to share it here too, at FOREVER 5th DIMENSION. –Robert-Allan Arno
Welcome Back to “LaMonte’s Music Mondays” for June 8. Hosted by multi-Grammy winning LaMonte McLemore, founding member of The 5th Dimension, and his biographer Robert-Allan Arno…
LaMonte: First, my wife and I want to thank each and everyone of my fans and friends for the outpouring of birthday greetings for my mother’s 106th birthday this past week, we read them all—over 400! And thank you, Robert for the moving social media you did for this event.
Robert: The essence of “Mama June” symbolizes so much, may I share your lovely wife Mieko’s quote: “Mama June has seen all and still observes the current events of the day. She is a lady of grace, beauty and inclusivity who does not ‘look the other way,’ and that makes her incredibly special.”
LaMonte: That’s my mama, and I get emotional…so I’m glad Mieko expressed that for both of us! (laughs)
Robert: And how wonderful that TV news host Kelly Wright featured your song, “Cease Fire (Enough is Enough)” on his broadcast this past weekend.
LaMonte: Thank you Kelly and also Dr. Julio Hanson who sings my song and helps represent it in the media so well, too. “Cease Fire” is more relevant than ever with all that is going on. I narrate the beginning of the song saying: “There is a weapon of mass destruction and it’s easy to find…just look in the mirror, because it’s us mankind.” We must look at ourselves objectively, halt our judgements, halt the violence…and choose compassion. We are marching in the streets, thousand upon thousands for this…
Robert: As we stand for justice and that #BlackLivesMatter…for equality and unity.
LaMonte: Right on! Seems my dream for a “Billion Man March,” and my song accompanying it, is near!
Robert: Which leads us to this week’s song choice by The 5th Dimension
: “The Declaration.”
LaMonte: We usually feature this for 4th of July weekend, but we can’t wait, it is too timely.
Robert: You found the song, essentially a musical interpretation, using the preamble of the Declaration of Independence as the lyrics.
LaMonte: It was in a play I had seen; I was always bringing things to our producer Bones Howe…Robert you remember these things better than I… (laughs)
Robert: Ha, the play was “Bread, Beans and Things.”
LaMonte: Dynamite! And Bones placed it as part of The Independence Medley before “A Change is Gonna Come” and “People Gotta Be Free.” It was our version of protest music, the side 2 of our PORTRAIT album.
Robert: Yes, which even started with “Save the Country” before the medley. I had written at the FOREVER 5th DIMENSION blog that “The Declaration” was a precursor to the vibe of Broadway’s “Hamilton.”
LaMonte: I’ll say The 5th Dimension was often ahead of our time, sometimes in ways people didn’t even realize! (laughs)
Robert: Interesting that “The Declaration” (which was released as a single) was banned on Armed Forces Radio, it is that revolutionary of a statement.
LaMonte: Most fans know we performed it at the White House, and at first it was met with silence before resounding applause, even government dignitaries didn’t know what to make of it!
Robert: But the young fans did, so many had reported that they learned to recite “The Declaration of Independence” for school because of The 5th Dimension. I recall our beloved Ron Townson telling me how proud he was of this fact.
LaMonte: Yes, the members of The Original 5th Dimension—Florence, Marilyn & Billy, and I—we still hear about this. I’ll confess, I learned to recite the Declaration of Independence, myself by singing our own musical version! (laughs)
Robert: The performance on record, and on TV in this clip certainly speaks volumes.
LaMonte: It was one of the few times The 5th Dimension was not smiling…
Robert: Its message carried such weight.
LaMonte: Fans and friends, please watch as well as listen to the words of “The Declaration” …yes, it’s more important than ever.
Watch The 5th Dimension perform “The Declaration” with “People Gotta Be Free” here: https://youtu.be/oOUxNAexRzs
Listen to “Cease Fire,” written by LaMonte McLemore, here: https://youtu.be/JuKzxJTl3Tg
LaMonte McLemore’s historic memoir as told to Robert-Allan Arno, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” is available at Amazon, here: https://www.amazon.com/Hobo-Flats-5th-Dimension-Photography/dp/0692307362
(“LaMonte’s Music Mondays, copyright 2020 by McLemore and Arno, all rights reserved)
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2020, intellectual property, all rights reserved
9 years ago, while sitting in Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.’s suite, post-show at the Cafe Carlyle, during our “cozy catch-up” visit I presented the concept of the “Forever 5th Dimension” blog-magazine. It was met with immediate instinctual approval by “MarBill” with Billy smiling, “I like the title,” and Marilyn adding with a wink, “I’d read it!” And that they both have, with such kind and astute validation & participation over these past 9 years where we first started on MySpace and migrated over to WordPress in recent years!
Compiling tunes with the group’s members and doing liners for “Playlist” for Sony just like we did with “Ultimate 5th Dimension” was “scholarly hip”…and of course, reporting on the countless sold-out, ovation inducing concert events of Marilyn & Billy (the First Couple of Pop n’ Soul) and the indomitable Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension (including Patrice Morris, Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker & Floyd Smith) is simply sensational! And our worldwide fan participation for each of our star’s birthdays is always an awesome “sunshine” celebration! Marilyn & Billy, Florence and LaMonte (plus Kyle Townson who is so supportive in repping his beloved dad, Ron)–each of them are not only cherished friends but mentoring colleagues who are a total pleasure to work with…their taste and faithful ethic are unparalleled. It just makes sense that the essence of The 5th Dimension brought our world together in harmony during the turbulent times of the late ’60’s/early 70’s…and it’s a blessing that these artists continue to enthrall us with such magic and energy, today. Also the support of another personal mentor, renowned producer Bones Howe is never forgotten.
Visit LaMonte McLemore on: Facebook, Twitter @LaMonteMcLemore, and Linked-in
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. who by the way, will be celebrating 47 years of marriage this coming July, are happily touring with both their acclaimed concerts plus special Broadway-like retrospective, “Up, Up and Away–a Musical Fable.” By fan request, East coast appearance dates this spring!
Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension (Patrice Morris, Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker and Floyd Smith) sell out vast crowds wherever they take the stage with their exciting evening of harmonious n’ hip “Champagne Soul.” The timeless Florence is celebrating 50 years with The 5th! And just in–they’ll be performing in the Philippines this May!
LaMonte McLemore has added to the accomplishment of his hit memoir which I had to pleasure and honor to co-author (“From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music”) with a fun joke book and a new inspiring tune, “If I Could Fly.”
It’s a “Great Golden Day!” New, from the FOREVER 5th DIMENSION YouTube page, our production of the retro Coca Cola jingle circa ’68…very much in the genre of the “Stoned Soul Picnic” album, The 5th’s unmatched style, shining even in commercial form with a Bossa Nova feel, is addictive all these years later! Take a listen & look at: 
Patrice says!: Here’s a lovely reflection from soprano Patrice Morris about being a member of The 5th Dimension, today and working with the legendary Florence LaRue: “I’m so blessed to work with some of the most talented, spirit-filled people. The beautiful Ms. Florence LaRu
Remembering Frank, Jr.: And sadly, we mourned the untimely passing of Frank Sinatra, Jr. Marilyn & Billy stated, “The Sinatra family was always so kind to The 5th Dimension, and we enjoyed working with Frank, Jr. on a number of occasions. His incredible musical gift will be missed along with his special sense of humor.” Plus, LaMonte and myself extended our condolences to our kind friend, Nancy Sinatra. Recently, Florence & The 5th Dimension guest-starred at the the Frank Sinatra 100th Year Gala, signifying the group’s ongoing connection to the Sinatra legacy…as we all continue to pray for the family.
Breaking News: Forever 5th Dimension is saddened by the untimely passing of music legend, Prince. Our prayers for his family and sympathies to his legions of fans. Marilyn & Billy state: “Prince’s impact on music will long be felt. He opened new doors, created new sounds. As well, the world has been seeing so many amazing stories about Prince–the person. What a beautiful heart he had. Long live his influence!” And fans 
Holiday Greetings from Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension:
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 