From LaMonte’s Facebook Page:
#ThrowbackThursday We’re having some fun today, sharing rare import album/single sleeve artwork…”all the world over” The Original 5th Dimension resounded with “harmony & understanding!” 
Enjoy everyone! ~~Robert-Allan for Team Mac 
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd, all rights reserved copyright 2008-21)
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Tagged Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Marilyn McCoo, The 5th Dimension
3/18: Happy Birthday to the man with the “golden ears,” Mr. Bones Howe, the Grammy-winning mega-producer of The Original 5th Dimension. I’d always tell Bones, “Keep doin’ what you’re doin’!” and he’d always smile humbly in appreciation of his “Mac.” When you’d see “Production & Sound by Bones Howe” on our albums, you could expect some patent leather perfect Champagne Soul! It was Bones’ genius that put together “Aquarius” with “Let the Sunshine In,” making it a Platinum mash-up for the generations. Did you know one of his favorite album cuts is “Summer’s Daughter” off our “Magic Garden” album? Bones was always the kindest, most assuring, and mellow gentleman whose musical vision helped to unite diverse people. Please join us in wishing him special blessings on his special day. We Love ya, Mr. B! ~~LaMonte McLemore with Robert-Allan Arno for Team Mac
(Photo Collage: Top–“Up-Up & Away” recording session, l to r: Florence, Ron, Marilyn, Billy, LaMonte, Bones, Jimmy Webb); “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” single sleeve–Production & Sound by Bones Howe; The Original 5th Dimension; LaMonte at home amid gold/platinum records; Bottom–Bones Howe)
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2021, Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved)
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Tagged Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Bones Howe, LaMonte McLemore, The 5th Dimension
At Forever 5th Dimension, honored to share this conglomeration of powerful & poignant most recent quotes from our favorite stars…
From LaMonte McLemore official on Facebook:
#SunshineSunday#BlackHistoryMonth Recently, we celebrated The 5th Dimension being featured in the award-winning Sundance music-docu, “Summer of Soul” produced by the visionary Questlove. The “mash-up” The 5th performed at the historic Harlem Cultural Festival ’69 was currently at the top of the charts: “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” But the other tune The 5th grooved with onstage was this intoxicating one: “Don’tcha Hear Me Callin’ To Ya.” Come dance with us this afternoon with the original recording, remastered at this link: https://youtu.be/x-oAd5Iz6VY ~~R-A A for Team Mac
From Florence LaRue’s Facebook page:
“Many thanks for all the lovely birthday greetings from all over the world! I wanted to acknowledge them personally, but there were just too many!! I thank God for all of you.”
From Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.’s official social media:
“We started making music in a time where a lot of this country didn’t want to accept us simply for the color of our skin. We defied the odds, and became the first African American married couple to host a network television series on CBS in 1977. When you think about it, that wasn’t all that long ago. We pursue our passions in spite of a lot of forces working against us. This month, we celebrate the progress we’ve made, but never forget that we are always a work in progress toward a more accepting tomorrow. Happy Black History Month!”
Artwork Credits: LaMonte by Kenneth Green; Marilyn & Billy: 50 Years of Love by Ephraim David Udoka, commissioned for McCoo/Davis by Robert-Allan Arno
(FOREVER 5th DIMENSION by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd, copyright 2008-2021, Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved)
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Black History Month, Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, McCoo & Davis, Summer of Soul
Dateline Feb 10—We’re wishing LaMonte’s lovely wife, Mieko, a Happy & Blessed Birthday today. As humble as she can be, Mieko will wring my neck for posting this, lol, but she deserves a glowing tribute. Many of you know, Mieko’s integrity is her hallmark; personally, she is my honorary sister, and it is ever a pleasure to confab with her and Mac whether keeping LaMonte’s various social media informative, reflective & current, or when we were working tirelessly on LaMonte’s popular memoir. In his book “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” LaMonte highlights Mieko’s delightful sense of humor…and sums up the tale of their charming love story so touchingly, re-working the lyric of a fan favorite song he penned: “A love like ours…was meant to be.” In their Vegas home, Mieko proudly showed me a precious photo of LaMonte’s mother, Mama June and Mieko’s father, walking hand-in-hand. It touchingly stands for Mieko’s heartfelt spirit of unity and exceptional grace. Please join LaMonte and myself, his biographer in celebrating this special lady. ~~Robert-Allan Arno
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2021, Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved)
From LaMonte McLemore’s Facebook page, 2/9/2021:
We are profoundly saddened to note the passing of founding member of the legendary Supremes, Mary Wilson. Mary’s life force was astounding, she never stopped in the name of music, artistry, history, humanitarianism, style, glamour…and ultimate joy. Mary was LaMonte’s dear friend, Las Vegas neighbor, even Mac’s cheerleader (with Gladys Knight!) at celebrity softball games. LaMonte’s wife Mieko poignantly shares, “Due to pandemic safety, Mac & Mary could not get together recently, but Mary’s last card to LaMonte (and she sent them frequently) stated, ‘Cannot wait to see you soon!’” LaMonte writes a lot about Mary in his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” and she enjoyed the inherent humor. But most important, Mac stated it was 2 groups— The Supremes and The 5th Dimension that opened doors for other Black singing groups of the late ‘60’s era, to headline stages in Las Vegas. Please join us in a symphony of prayers for the beautiful Mary, her shining spirit soars eternally…
~~Robert-Allan Arno on behalf of LaMonte & Mieko McLemore
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2021, Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved)
On the heels of The 5th Dimension’s featured historic appearance at the Sundance Film Festival among other legendary artists in “Summer of Soul,” and in this new month of February where we soon celebrate Florence LaRue’s birthday on February 4, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is so pleased and proud to honor Black History Month. LaMonte and I just worked on this relevant feature, posted on his Facebook page, and we wanted to share it here, at the blog, too, as follows:
#BlackHistoryMonth21 Happy first day of February and the start of Black History Month. The 5th Dimension has much to be proud of and so do I, that’s why I was sure to weave important historical points all throughout my memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension.” One such highlight I recollected was a luncheon at my Vegas home with one of the esteemed curators of the up-and-coming Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. As most of you know, the museum has now become a thriving national must-go & see and will be that again, post-Covid. I donated this fringed & gold brocaded epaulette jacket, one of my stage outfits to the museum and it is on display with this lovely placard honoring The 5th Dimension, amid an orchestrated sea of other African American legacy music artists. While the museum remains temporarily closed, we bring you this peek inside…with pride! ~”Mac” as told to Robert-Allan Arno
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2008-2021)
1/23/21: Huge kudos on behalf of the stars of The Original 5th Dimension–Marilyn & Billy, Florence, and LaMonte–to lovely & vibrant, GG Townson, for her starring role in tonight’s Lifetime TV debut of the Salt-N-Pepa bio-pic. Marilyn & Billy told me, “Robert, how exciting…we’ll definitely be watching her star continue to rise!” View GG’s charming chat with Amy Robach and TJ Holmes on Good Morning America 3, at this link:
With familial music in her blood as the granddaughter of Ron “Sweets” Townson, the late original member of multi-Grammy legends The 5th Dimension, GG recently told the Big 95 Morning Show something of great interest to readers of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION: “‘Wedding Bell Blues’ is actually my favorite song by them. Every once in a while, I’ll just find myself yelling the first line, ‘Biiiilll!’ ‘Aquarius,’ for sure, just makes me smile. It’s such a feel-good song. ‘Up-Up, and Away’…they just have really good music. And I’m not saying that because he’s my grandfather, but The 5th Dimension really put out great music and broke so many barriers.”
–By Robert-Allan Arno
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-21, Intellectual Property, All Rights Reserved)
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Florence LaRue, GG Townson, LaMonte McLemore, McCoo & Davis, Salt-N-Pepa
#OrderforChristmas #Thankyou to special fans, music aficionado Tony Spriglia, writer/blogger Monica Haynes, and entertainer extraordinaire Alton Fitzgerald White (of “The Lion King” fame!) for their recent holiday purchases of LaMonte McLemore’s hit memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension.” Each will receive an autographed bookplate to affix in their book. When you order from Amazon, let us know and we’ll mail you a bookplate!
Explore the music of The 5th Dimension, the climate of the times, the laughs, the romance, the love…and even Mac’s grandma’s Top 10 “Wisdom Hits!” Recommended by Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, Neil Sedaka, Marilyn & Billy….and Tony (above) who shares: “Every 5th fan should have a copy. It’s fascinating, entertaining & easy to read…and enjoy!”
Order in time for Christmas (press above)…and thank you to our worldwide fans & friends for making “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” the hip, hit memoir…as “Mac” says, “Right on!”
It is with great solemnity we report that LaMonte McLemore’s cherished mother, known warmly by all as “Mama June” has passed away peacefully at age 106. Mama June had remained the only surviving parent of the members of The Original 5th Dimension. Always beautifully groomed & attired, and wonderfully wise, LaMonte proudly shared in his memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” and with many an interviewer: “Don’t let the homespun name fool you…my ever-glamorous Mama June’s memory is better than yours and mine, combined…she’s as sharp as a tack!” Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. expressed on the occasion of her centennial birthday: “Mama June is one of the true gems in our lives, she’s always been full of joy, love, and acceptance for all–a true treasure.” Florence LaRue made a special appearance at Mama June’s 105th birthday celebration in St. Louis delivering a prayer and song in her honor. LaMonte’s biographer, Robert-Allan Arno states: “Mama June possessed a warm godly light—not only coming from inside but surrounding her—that was simply breathtaking when in her presence.”
June McLemore (1914-2020) lived through many decades, eras, US presidents, and positive changes in Civil Rights. She always embraced a “can-do” spirit of diligence, grace, optimism, fairness, and inclusivity through it all, attributes that are reflected in the ethos of The 5th Dimension’s harmoniously uplifting hits like “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” and “Up-Up and Away.” The McLemore family states, “She was elated to witness our first Black president and lived to see our first Black woman, South Asian vice president-elect.”
Mama June is also survived by her daughter Joan and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. Visitation and funeral services will be held privately in her hometown of St. Louis. The family thanks fans for their outpouring of sympathetic sentiments on Mr. McLemore’s Facebook page.
With appreciation to the publications: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch,” “Soul Tracks,” and “Backbeat R & B Magazine” for their special tributes to Mama June.
Mama June’s presence will be greatly missed, yet “Earth hath no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” —Robert-Allan Arno for LaMonte McLemore
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Florence LaRue, LaMonte McLemore, Mama June, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
From LaMonte McLemore, founding member of The 5th Dimension:
Dateline Sept 30: Today is the birthday of a lovely lady whose voice is woven so beautifully into the tapestry of American Pop-Soul Culture…as equally beautiful as she is! Yes, let’s wish my forever friend, my colleague in The Original 5th Dimension, Ms. Marilyn McCoo a #HappyBirthday. Can’t you just hear her rich, lilting, and sometimes soaring tones with “One Less Bell,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Love’s Line’s, Angles & Rhymes,” “Never My Love,” “If I Could Reach You,” and “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep,” reflecting her recorded “vocal solos” with The 5th! Marilyn just celebrated her 51st wedding anniversary with Billy Davis, Jr., and today we honor her special day with Love & God’s blessings…
~~LaMonte McLemore, as told to Robert-Allan Arno
Birthday Bonus! Go to the ComingTogether site to get a free copy of Marilyn’s latest inspirationally-based solo, “My Tribute” (To God Be the Glory) here: www.coming2gether.net.
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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