We have cooked up lotsa’ tasty pop cultural treats in FROM HOBO FLATS to THE 5th DIMENSION–A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music, coming January ’15! It’s LaMonte McLemore’s riveting autobiographical memoir, as told to Robert-Allan Arno…due for the new year! Stay tuned to FOREVER 5th DIMENSION for more details including tour dates and media appearances!
(Pictured, LaMonte McLemore with Robert-Allan Arno)
10/16–This morning, the music world lost Tim Hauser (pictured above, bottom right) of Manhattan Transfer. As many of you know, “ManTran” and The 5th Dimension have many fans in common–the mix of guys and gals and their dexterous uplifting harmonies, their early staged choreography and overall versatility…and certainly the Jazzier moments of The 5th like “Sky and Sea” and “Dimension 5ive” were “very ManTran” before the quartet even formed! LaMonte McLemore tells in his memoir FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION that the groups’ members were friends; I have personally heard admiration for The 5th from MT singers, original member Laurel Masse as well as Janis Siegel. Also, the renowned 5th vocal arranger Bob Alcivar worked on special projects for “the Transfer.”
Tim was a warm, down-to-earth man who I had the pleasure to interview early in my media career backstage at Long Island’s “Westbury Music Fair”–he truly had passion for his work and loved to share his panoramic knowledge of music and performance. Tim Hauser’s textured sound, keen vision and “Joy Spring” will live forever. The 5th Dimension Family & Fans extend their condolences and prayerful thoughts as we offer “Dimension 5ive” in tribute to this music legend and founder of Manhattan Transfer. –Robert-Allan Arno
9/17/14–Today we honor the birthday of the founder of The 5th Dimension, Mr. LaMonte McLemore. This is a very special day as LaMonte and I have worked diligently on the story of his life for the past 4 years and we expect FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION, A LIFE FULFILLED IN BASEBALL, PHOTOGRAPHY AND MUSIC to come your way between Christmas and New Year season…it is a memoir of heart, soul, history, humor and inspiration. There are awesome rare photos galore, but of course and even a recipe!
Last Mac and I told you about the many celebrities that will be spotlighted throughout FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION’S pages, and today as a special “preview” birthday celebration treat, we wanted you to know about the songs from The 5th Dimension songbook that he gets to talk about in-depth, giving you the inside scoop from his “mellow bass” perspective. In his memoir, you’ll read about: “Go Where You Wanna Go,” “Up-Up and Away,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Orange Air,” “Requium: 820 Latham,” “The Girls’ Song,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “The Declaration/A Change Is Gonna Come/People Gotta Be Free,” “A Love Like Ours,” “One Less Bell,” “Light Sings,” “The Singer,” …
“MacArthur Park,” “Love Medley” “Ode to Billie Joe,” “Black Patch,” “Sky and Sea,” “Living Together, Growing Together,” “Day by Day,” “No Love in the Room,” “Walk Your Feet in the Sunshine,” “I Got a Feeling,” “Love Hangover,” more!
Leave it to “Mac” to give his fans a gift on his own special day…but his cherished Grandma always taught him to “give back,” you’ll learn of Grandma Gertrude’s special wisdom all through the book, too!
Now, please leave your birthday greetings for LaMonte!
—Robert-Allan Arno
Biographer, LaMonte McLemore and The original 5th Dimension
You can view the official in-depth Press Release on FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION at: https://forever5thdimension.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/lamonte-mclemore-of-the-5th-dimension-to-release-autobiographical-memoir-as-told-to-robert-allan-arno/
(Photos courtesy of LaMonte McLemore Collection)
The fans say…
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION, LaMonte McLemore, Robert-Allan Arno
It was ’71 and after a major summer touring schedule in the states (NY fans STILL talk about the Forest Hills stadium appearance!) and a top-rated network TV special (“Traveling Sunshine Show”), The 5th Dimension–Marilyn, Florence, Billy, Ronald & LaMonte– were the featured guests for the finale of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. The songs performed were a LIVE version of “Light Sings,” then Marilyn stepped forward to unveil The 5th’s new single, “Never My Love.” It was all pretty thrilling!
As awesome fan reviews of “MarBill” at Catalina Jazz Club this holiday weekend are coming in on Marilyn & Billy’s official Facebook page, The 5th Dimension Family wishes you a blessed, peaceful Labor Day Weekend…may the Light sing!!
And remember, The 5th Dimension featuring Florence LaRue;
group founder, LaMonte McLemore;
and the duo of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.,
EACH have exciting endeavors this coming fall and holiday season…stay tuned!! —Robert-Allan Arno
Hear LIGHT SINGS, a quintessential fan fave by The 5th Dimension, (from the Broadway show “The Me Nobody Knows”) at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxXxX5Z0f0g
In his memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” founder of The 5th Dimension and life-long friend, LaMonte McLemore earmarks Billy Davis, Jr.’s interpretation of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” as incomparable, bringing a tear to his eye. As biographer of both The original 5th and “Mac,” I was so proud to have it released (in medley with “People Gotta Be Free”) as a rarity selection on the current CD chart-topper, “Playlist: The Very Best of The 5th Dimension” on Sony-Legacy. Florence LaRue confided to a recent audience at her solo cabaret show, “My all-time favorite song by The 5th Dimension is ‘Misty Roses!’” That’s Billy’s “sweet-soul” side, way back-in-the-day from the very first “Up-Up and Away” album. Compare this to his “flip side,” as both the bluesy “When Something is Wrong with My Baby” and the gritty “Steppin’ In” stop the show “live in person,” and on the exemplary Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.’s latest double volume Live CD!
Dubbed one of our greatest Soul singers by the renown of Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire), Eddie Levert (The O’Jays) and Jimmy “Up-Up and Away” Webb, Billy noted recently to Michael Feinstein on his “Song Travels” radio show, “Nat King Cole was a major early inspiration.” In a mini “Master Class” Marilyn & Billy provided at our Blog, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, Billy’s reminder to artists was to “tell the story…and let your notes highlight the feeling.” “’What comes from the heart, goes to the heart’ is my husband’s motto,” smiled Marilyn. No wonder Ashford & Simpson picked up on this “heartfelt” quality in The 5th’s fan favorite version of their sizzling composition, “California Soul,” a group song, like “Ashes to Ashes” that is rather Billy-driven. Oh, and the socially-conscious “Ashes” is one of Billy’s personal faves, he shared on the radio a few years back!
REWOUND Radio’s Bob Radil in talking with me about the legacy of The 5th, cited Billy’s improv on “Let the Sunshine In” as a watershed moment in recording history. I responded, “Billy’s call to ‘Sing along with The 5th Dimension’ was irresistible…how could the nation not!” Marilyn continued in our “class,” noting her hubby’s directorial chops, too, “Billy guided my phrasing on ‘One Less Bell,’ in fact, he helped all the members with their solos.”
On Gospel tunes like “The Love of God,” from Billy’s project with Rev. James Cleveland and re-issued, “Billy has made women swoon at our church appearances,” observes Marilyn with a sympathetic giggle. “That’s not me, it’s God working through me,” Billy retorts humbly, and maybe most importantly of all. Famed 5th producer Bones Howe tells me, “On ‘The Magic Garden’ album alone, if you juxtapose ‘Requiem: 820 Latham’ (one of Marilyn’s personal faves) with ‘The Worst That Could Happen’ with ‘Summer’s Daughter’ (the latter, one of Bones’ sentimental likes), you’ll hear all the ‘dimensions’ of Billy.” Indeed, there are so many dimensions, so many more songs with that “Billy Davis, Jr. touch”–his stamp of artistic excellence.
It’s become a yearly tradition to tell us your favorite “Billy tune” while “speaking with your heart” to wish him a Happy Birthday. However, this year for 2015, we present a twist with the following question:
If and when Marilyn & Billy record their next CD of duets with select solos, which all-time classic Soul, Blues, Gospel or American Pop Standard tune would you love Billy to record…or perhaps what previously recorded “Billy solo” would you like him to re-visit?
We’ll send all your “trains of thought” and greetings over to “Sir Davis” and his proud wife of nearly 46 years, the lovely Ms. McCoo, on his special morning of June 26th…our cherished and respected “Gentleman of Soul.” —Robert-Allan Arno
(copyright 2014, 15, The Soul of the Voice, Ltd.)
Here are our 2015 fan “results”–
Renee T Armstead Happy Birthday Billy!! It was SO great to see you and Marilyn this past Saturday. The show was the best and Barbara and I were thrilled to be blessed with a front row seat!! As you may remember, my favorite “Billy” tune is “A Change is Gonna Come.” If and when you and Marilyn record a new CD of duets with select solos, I think you would do a superb job of “Hold On, I’m Coming”, the oldie by Sam and Dave. Meanwhile, God bless you both. Enjoy your birthday Soul Man!
Renee T Armstead: I can’t believe LaMonte feels the same as I do about “A Change is Gonna Come.” It brings tears to my eyes too! That is my favorite Billy song! Also, I’ve always loved the fact that Billy was named the Sunny Dimension when the group was together. I have truly loved getting to know him and Marilyn all through these years. Happy Birthday!
Susie Paige: Have a happy birthday, Billy! “Somebody Warm Like Me” is one of my personal favorites. Thanks for all the great music!…Gabriel Pellegrino: Billy is the Man! May God bless you with many more years!… Elston Harry: Billy, Happy Birthday, I will celebrate you!…Douglas C. Charles: Billy, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you a few times over the years & you have always been so gracious. “Steppin In” has become a new favorite of mine. I hope before I die to hear you sing “Leave A Little Room.” Been enjoying your solos since the first album (“Which Way to Nowhere”). God Bless & “Be Good” as your autographs used to say…Dale Kocik: So many favorites–“Feelin Alright, Every Night, Those Were The Days, Guess Who.” Thanks so much for all of the great music, Happy Birthday Bily!…Estes John: Happy Birthday Billy. My all-time personal fave Billy-lead/solo song has always been BROKEN WING BIRD followed by IT’LL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN…Loretta Sorensen: Trying to choose just one favorite Billy Davis Jr. song is like trying to eat just one potato chip! Since I don’t stop at one chip, my favorites are Let It Be Me, Misty Roses, A Change Is Gonna Come, Requiem: 820 Latham. Happiest of Birthday’s dear Billy and thank you for always being so kind to me…Isis LaShawn Hardy:I enjoyed reading the Forever 5Th article. My top 5 favorite Billy led songs are– My Song, Too Poor to Die, It’ll Never be the Same Again, Ashes to Ashes, and Requiem: 820 Latham. But I must give props to Billy’s lead on Feelin’ Alright. It is my FAVORITE version of the song. It grooves!
Alain Baptiste: We thought about this, Robert-Allan. Billy has been a light in our lives for many years now. His in a split second recognizable sound, the dedication to everything he does, is something we have come to expect but never take for granted. With pride, we love him and Marilyn more than we can say. Adding, “Let It Be Me” is the bomb! Mariette and Alain Baptiste…
The 5th Dimension Family is saddened by the passing of legendary “American Top 40” host, Casey Kasem. Reflecting back, wasn’t it thrilling for we who got to listen first-hand each Sunday to Casey’s account, week-by-week of how “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All” was ascending the chart…just to hear him say “Marilyn McCoo,” was a bonus! And later, he gave us the scoop on “You Don’t Have to be a Star (To be in My Show),” Marilyn & Billy’s Disco era, sweet-Soul mega-hit. (Note: We also recently lost Don Davis, the renown producer of “Star.”)
LaMonte McLemore reminds, “Casey, just like Dick Clark and Don Cornelius, was a very good friend to The 5th Dimension, in fact, he attended our induction ceremony, when we received our star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
As well, Casey–a quintessential gentleman with a witty sense of humor– gave me a gloriously heartfelt quote about the group for my ULTIMATE 5th DIMENSION liner notes, one I use to this day as biographer:
“The 5th Dimension stood in a class by themselves.” –Casey Kasem
God bless his legacy. —Robert-Allan Arno
REWOUND, baby! Friends, I’ll be on my pal Bob Radil‘s Friday night radio show on the retro yet ever-fresh Rewound Radio, this Friday night June 13th…talkin’ ’bout the new “Playlist: The Very Best of The 5th Dimension” compilation and other goodies, I didn’t say oldies! Featuring a special story from LaMonte and secrets from Bones! Approx 7 PM, EST, tune in and join us on the net at: www.rewoundradio.com
–Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer, The original 5th Dimension & LaMonte McLemore
Dateline 5/27: It’s a Champagne Soul Celebration!
Yes, it’s the formal release date of “Playlist: The Very Best of The 5th Dimension” on Sony Legacy CD’s. And here’s the scoop. This project is a labor of love from the stars of The original 5th Dimension–Marilyn & Billy, Florence and Lamonte–and myself, we all compiled the 14 songs that fit the “Playlist prototype” and we decided to make this package hit-driven. Why? Because there needs to be a fresh product readily available in stores as well as on the net, for the thousands of dedicated fans and the many new young ones who are now discovering “The 5th” via YouTube, etc. The classic “Champagne Soul” hits you love have been re-mastered by the Sony pros in a superlative manner, it’s as if our beloved 5 are in the room with you! You’ve never heard “California Soul,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Save the Country” and many more sound so “layered, direct and present!” Furthermore, I got to sequence the songs, they unfold luxuriously and joyfully. I also penned some nifty liners, and Marilyn, Billy, Florence, LaMonte and Ron (to whom we dedicate the project) get well-deserved homage from Neil “Puppet Man” Sedaka, Valerie “California Soul” Simpson, Dick “Never My Love” Addrisi, Felix “People Gotta Be Free” Cavaliere, and Bill Cosby plus producer extraordinaire Bones Howe is illustrious in the comments he shares.
Lastly, in keeping the “spice it up with rarities” vibe of Playlist’s “mission statement,” I was sure to bring you some extra goodies: the radio release, Stereo intermediate length of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” has not been heard in over 40 years (it only appeared on the original “Greatest Hits” album) and it dazzles; as well, the Mono singles of “Never My Love” with the “edit to Marilyn’s high note” and extra applause, plus the B side Mono single of the astounding “A Change is Gonna Come/People Gotta Be Free” take their bows amid the celebration. Mr. Bones did something extra special to radio and single mixes to make them “pop” and you’ll get that thrilling feeling with these 3 without the “snap and crackle” of our bygone 45’s. Oh, don’t worry, there are other CD projects in the air, and more to come, and that’s when some from-the-vaults “stuff” will emerge. Right now, please support this very reasonably priced package, the pretty artwork and photos alone are worth it being in your collection, but seriously, this one is a jewel in The 5th’s crown.
(scroll down for songs)
—Robert-Allan Arno,
Biographer–The original 5th Dimension
Back Cover Description & Song List:
Think The 5th Dimension and a kaleidoscope of hiply elegant sounds and images so readily dance in the mind’s eye, that we still breathe a collective sigh of unadulterated joy. Their uniquely eclectic brand of “Champagne Soul” garnered chart-toppers galore as Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore and Ron Townson united people with their uplifting, harmonious sound during the turbulent times of the late 60’s-early 70’s. With timeless hits and love songs, this Playlist is a celebration of a multi-Grammy award-winning quintet, that stands in a class by itself. –Robert-Allan Arno
California Soul
Up-Up and Away
Stoned Soul Picnic
Save the Country
Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (Radio release, intermediate length, Stereo )
Wedding Bell Blues
One Less Bell to Answer
The Worst that Could Happen
(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All
Sweet Blindness
Puppet Man
A Change is Gonna Come/People Gotta Be Free (Single release, Mono)
Never My Love (Single release, Mono)
Blowing Away
“Playlist: The Very Best of The 5th Dimension” is now available at Amazon, Walmart (on-line and in-store) and CD Universe.
The Gentlemen of The 5th Dimension– Billy, Ron & LaMonte*
(*press title above to enter our special YouTube “playlist!”)
“The guys are my brothers, we laughed, loved, fought, cried and made beautiful music together,” says LaMonte “Mac” McLemore, founder of Grammy-winning legends, The 5th Dimension in his upcoming for Christmas ’14 memoir FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5th DIMENSION. Billy Davis, Jr. seconds the emotion, “Our fans are like family, but we, the original members of The 5th Dimension are truly family…the men all hail from Saint Louis.” Classically-trained, the beloved late Ron “Sweets” Townson finally got his gem un-vaulted a few years back with the theme from LOVE STORY, featured in this playlist. Mac penned the fan fave A LOVE LIKE OURS and talks extensively about it in his book. Billy’s emotional interpretation of Sam Cooke’s A CHANGE IS GONNA COME is the gold standard. As we salute the gentlemen of The 5th Dimension with our select YouTube playlist, don’t forget Sony Legacy’s freshly mastered CD, “Playlist:The Very Best of The 5th Dimension” due May 27th, I was honored to pen its liners and compile the 14 tunes with Marilyn & Billy, Florence and Mac.
–Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer–The original 5th Dimension & LaMonte McLemore
Photo: Sweets, Billy & Mac singin’ & swingin’ with Sinatra, press to enlarge
LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension tells the story!
Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Bill Cosby, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Ray Charles, Ava Gardner, Don Cornelius, Dick Clark, Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis, Richard Pryor, Billy Davis, Jr., Sammy Davis, Jr., Ron “Sweets” Townson, Redd Foxx, Johnny Carson, Jayne Kennedy, Marvin Gaye, Glen Campbell, Mike Douglas, Gladys Knight…just SOME of the stars featured in “Mac’s” upcoming autobiographical memoir, FROM HOBO FLATS to THE 5th DIMENSION: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Music & Photography by LaMonte McLemore with Robert-Allan Arno. Lots of RARE photos, history & wisdom, too! Stay tuned for news of its Christmas season ’14 release! LaMonte thanks each of you for your kind support and enthusiasm…me too, friends! –Robert-Allan Arno
View the Official Press Release at: https://forever5thdimension.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/lamonte-mclemore-of-the-5th-dimension-to-release-autobiographical-memoir-as-told-to-robert-allan-arno/?relatedposts_exclude=264
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FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 