Dateline July 26–Welcome to our latest “eclectic” edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION. It’s the 49th Wedding Anniversary of our 1st Couple of Pop & Soul, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr…go to their official Facebook page, today, and enter the drawing to win an autographed copy of their 2-volume Live CD! We’ve been having so much fun on Twitter–which I’m so honored to curate for our duo through my company, The Soul of The Voice, Ltd.–counting down to this special day. We’ll review those Tweets at the close of our blog…but right now, here is MarBill’s heartwarming statement for the occasion:
With one of us originally from St. Louis, the other ‘an LA girl,’ if we had known 49 years ago that God would bless us with a relationship that would reach today’s anniversary, the concept would’ve been so unlikely, we would’ve laughed. (‘Who can stay married 49 years in this day and age–and in this business!?’) But never underestimate the Lord! Thank you, ALL of you for your love & support over all these years. We are so blessed & so thankful to have each of you!!
Love, Billy & Marilyn 
Marilyn & Billy will be “in residency” over Labor Day weekend! They say, “How we love putting together your favorites with new cabaret surprises! Join us at Hollywood’s intimate Catalina Bar & Grill for Jazz, Pop, Torch & Blues…done the ‘MarBill’ way!” That’s Fri Aug 31 – Sun Sept 2. For tickets go to: http://www.catalinajazzclub.com/
Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension are sizzling! Their concerts of Champagne Soul bring classic harmonic hit sounds to today’s stages for multi-generational family entertainment performed for consistently sold-out crowds! Their current summer ’18 tour calendar…their upcoming Christmas residency…their bookings into the 2019 season…are ALL thrilling!
Go here to see their cross-country touring schedule–tix for Florence & The 5th Dimension always sell out fast!! Ms. LaRue & the group look forward to seeing YOU!:
http://5thdimensionlive.com/calendar/
#SnapShot Whether on the road with The 5th Dimension or involved with her solo endeavors, our delightful diva, Florence LaRue is always busy! Last month, she co-hosted with actress Kym Whitley, the Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival’s “Legends, Movement, And Memories” show.
LaMonte McLemore wants you to meet Ms. Fanny Fine…
LaMonte’s new dance tune is here, ready for download purchase on CD Baby…here’s the scoop: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the baddest of them all?” Introducing “Fanny Fine.” According to 6-time Grammy award winning founder of legends The 5th Dimension, LaMonte McLemore, who wrote & produced the new dance tune, “The lady is an homage to and a montage of ALL the beautiful women I’ve had the honor and pleasure of photographing for top magazines over 5 decades!”
A touch retro but definitely today, “Fanny” elicits those dance-able club moves amid catchy, “5th Dimension-inspired” harmonic grooves. With music production & arrangement by Lloyd Tolbert and lead vocal by the soulfully dexterous Julio Hanson. “And don’t forget the characterization by Tyrone Fox…his artwork reflects the essence of Fanny!” adds Mr. Mac, who punctuates with his inimitable humor. He chuckles, “Fanny Fine will make ‘Brick House’ look like a shed!”
Order “Fanny Fine” on CD Baby, here:
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lamontemclemore3
Twitter Recap! Now, here’s a review of some of the fun & “sweet Tweets” Marilyn & Billy have been featuring as a count-down to today’s anniversary…we leave you with there’s as we anticipate our own 10 year anniversary edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION…complete with surprises…coming soon! –Robert-Allan Arno
#ThrowbackThursday We’re starting a one-week count-down to our #49thWeddingAnniversary (July 26) featuring fave picture & musical memories! This pose is from the photo shoot of our 1st duet album–you could find it on the LP’s inner sleeve! #IHopeWeGetToLoveInTime
When asked about our fave duet recordings, “My Reason to Be is You” is one of them. Please enjoy this live version that follows our performance of “Sad Eyes”…view it here: https://t.co/6ee9R9CTBm
As we count down to our #49thAnniversary on Thurs, we’re thinking of what we did for our 40th…the #ManyFacesofLove project! From it, “We Can Work It Out”* is perfect for #TuesdayGroove! Listen here: youtu.be/fPrHQS2NeFo
“You are the early mornin’ sun, you bring the light into my day…”
One of our faves from our duet sessions, “My Love for You (Will Always Be the Same)” is also our choice for today’s #SundaySunshine tune as we count down to our #49thWeddingAnniversary. Listen here: https://t.co/FlCFzavEtj
#FashionFriday Which was our “real” wedding attire?! We were styled on the left, to perform “Wedding Bell Blues” on TV. On the right, come July 26, this photo will mark our official 49th! #49WeddingAnniversary
Special Thanks to Marilyn & Billy, Florence, LaMonte, the worldwide fans, Steve Rosenblum (Sterling/Winters)
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., all rights reserved, intellectual property, copyright 2008-2018)
Welcome to our “Stoned Soul” springtime review! As always, we immeasurably thank Marilyn & Billy...Florence & The 5th Dimension…and LaMonte for their enthusiastic contributions & support…we celebrate our 10th anniversary of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION in late July with some tasty “special events!” And to you, the worldwide fans, our appreciation for making this near-decade of “5th-fabulousness” a global adventure! Let’s catch up…
Happy New Year from FOREVER 5th DIMENSION!
Dear Robert, Fans & Friends:
Visit Florence LaRue’s lovely updated website at: 
Mac’s hit memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” co-written by Robert-Allan Arno, 2nd edition, is available on Amazon at: 
Welcome to the Fall & Holiday season, FOREVER 5TH-style! What an exciting time for our favorite stars! We unveiled our “Marilyn & Billy’s Living Room” feature– your questions answered by our dynamic duo, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., right here at the blog on Marilyn’s birthday, Sept. 30 to a record number of visitors!
Then Marilyn & Billy honor Miss Dionne Warwick as she receives the prestigious Marian Anderson Award at the Kimmel Center, Philadelphia on Tues. Nov 14, 8pm! Limited Seats!–for tickets, go here: 
And don’t forget, “MarBill” star in the Colors of Christmas Tour, coming to a town near you Dec 3-17th! For locations, go here: 
EXCLUSIVE! Watch the official induction video, produced by The Soul of The Voice, Ltd. and announced by yours truly, Mac’s biographer, here: 
Fans & friends, go to CD Baby right now, to hear a sample of & purchase for download LaMonte’s new sweet-Soul, harmonic dance tune, I WISH I COULD FALL IN LOVE at this link:
Mac’s hit memoir, now in its 2nd Edition, recommended by Johnny Mathis and Nancy Sinatra! FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5TH DIMENSION, available at Amazon:
Introducing LaMonte McLemore‘s new song available for download right now at CD Baby! Mac enthuses, “This is the type of dance tune I always wanted The Original 5th Dimension to record!” The Grammy legend explains, “Now I get to conceive it with a 2017 spin…featuring the talented Julio Hanson in the sweet-soul, harmonic driver’s seat!”
Coming on the heels of McLemore’s viral sensation, CEASE FIRE (a call for world peace), I WISH I COULD FALL IN LOVE switches themes, repping Mac’s versatile vision. And yet the elemental message of “love” always manifests where LaMonte travels artistically. –Robert-Allan Arno
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.
Actress Joan van Ark recited a compelling compendium of lyrics from various hit songs by The 5th Dimension while Florence LaRue delivered an emotional homage to her fellow Original 5th Dimension trailblazers and friends.
The graceful LaRue cited Billy’s voice as one which still brings a tear to her eye. Actor Lou Gossett, Jr. and Harry Elston of The Friends of Distinction were downright hysterical (Harry’s nickname for Billy is “Wilbur”…with Billy trading quick quips with Mr. Elston!)
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