50 was also magical for Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. as the First Couple of Pop n’ Soul celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July. Marilyn, Billy and I got to “croon” about the romantic milestone and their 7-time Grammy winning favorite hits, too, also at “Culture Sonar.”
The ever vivacious 6-time Grammy winning Florence LaRue and The 5th Dimension brought their “Champagne Soul” myriad hits all through the country, in concert, selling out every venue where they performed! Florence, Patrice, Leonard, Floyd and Sidney are already racking up important appearances for 2020. See their exciting developing schedule here: http://5thdimensionlive.com/calendar/
50 Years of Love: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. by Ephraim Udoka, Exclusive Artiste All Rights Reserved
Still touring to raves, Marilyn & Billy had a featured song on the “Thank you, Mr. Rogers” CD. And in early November, Marilyn made a poignant , heralded return as Tamara Price on “Days of Our Lives”…Billy appeared too. For MarBill’s 50th anniversary, I had personally commissioned African artist, Ephraim David Udoka to do a rendering of the couple today, juxtaposed with their earlier selves. It was thrilling to have the talented Udoka study the work of McCoo & Davis and then see the duo’s metamorphosis through his young yet ingenious eyes. Marilyn & Billy’s response to the framed piece received as their special gift was enthusiastic, as follows:
Nigerian Artist, Ephraim Udoka poses with his MarBill!
In June, LaMonte celebrated the 105th birthday of his cherished mom, “Mama June.” On Sept 29th, a few hours after he and I confabbed as his social media/press coordinator, about saluting Marilyn’s birthday the following day on his Facebook page, I and subsequently global fans learned that Mac had suffered a mild stroke. I am pleased to report that his recovery has been “sparkling.” He and his lovely wife Mieko are constantly out and about in their hometown of Las Vegas and his trademark rich bass offered a resounding:”Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Rev. Arno!” (his nickname for me) just the other day on the phone! As Mac says, “The best is yet to come!” Look for a new coffee table book on the photos of icon Jayne Kennedy, as historically photographed by LaMonte coming in early 2020.
This year we even un-vaulted a tune by The Original 5th circa ’70: “A Pocketful of Seeds.” And thank you fans, friends and “5th Family” from all over the world, for stopping by these soon-to-be dozen years at our information central, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION. We love and appreciate our favorite stars: Florence, LaMonte and Marilyn & Billy…and we thank YOU most certainly, for your continued support! Indeed, we know you agree…The 5th Dimension…is forever! Light Sings!
—Robert-Allan Arno Visit our stars on the web…
Florence & The 5th Dimension: http://5thdimensionlive.com/
Marilyn & Billy at their Facebook Official or: http://mccoodavis.com
LaMonte on Facebook and Linked-In
Number 15, in All-time Hits! To Program Director 
To accompany these events, I got to talk to LaMonte McLemore about the legend of “Aquarius” for the popular “Culture Sonar” in late spring, the article is at this link: 
And then I got to visit with Marilyn & Billy about their greatest hits and fondest memories this summer, also for “Culture Sonar” at this link: 
Enjoy this Chevrolet jingle in the spirit of musical versatility that always reflected The 5th Dimension’s essence. Some great jazzy-pop, matchless harmonies, stratospheric high notes from “the girls,” and a sensual mini solo from Florence and a “soul-licious” one from Billy…all in one commercial! 
What an exhilarating late spring & summer of 2019, where 50 seemed to be a magical number! You see, the anniversary of The 5th Dimension’s greatest hit of all time–spending 6 straight weeks at #1 in 1969–the medley of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” hit its 5 decades. We talked all about it at the popular CULTURE SONAR with this exclusive Q & A between myself & LaMonte McLemore. Here’s the link to “The 5th Dimension: The Age of Aquarius at 50”:
So put on some hazelnut-flavored coffee, put up a pot of spicy herbal tea, grab some delectable cookies, too…and let’s get cozy with our very gracious, favorite couple, who’ll make YOU “a star in their show”…
Our friend Loretta Sorensen has a couple of thoughtful inquires of each of you: “If you were not in the entertainment business, what other career would you see yourself in? She continues with: “What was your favorite song growing up?”
In this regard, Duane Edwards submitted a reflection: “Does a second commercial for Jello exist? I either dreamed it or saw it once on afternoon TV during the soaps. It went something like this: hands are seen carrying a tray with bowls of Jello into a recording studio to a receptive group. The members of The 5th Dimension are then seen enjoying the treat while listening to their Jello jingle!”
INTRODUCING “Marilyn & Billy’s Living Room“…and Special Fans, YOU’RE INVITED! Over the past 9 years, each time the globally-acclaimed FOREVER 5th DIMENSION blog has had the pleasure of interviewing the 7-time Grammy award-winning “First Couple of Pop & Soul,” hands-down your consistent feedback has been: “It’s like I’m in their living room, being part of the conversation with Marilyn and Billy!” The blog’s creator and trusted biographer of The Original 5th Dimension, 
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
The Question: If there would be an ULTIMATE McCOO & DAVIS GREATEST HITS CD featuring your favorites of their recorded DUETS, what personal top 5 (in no necessary order) would you choose? 
Susie Paige
Andy Gard
Keep in touch with Marilyn & Billy at their Official Facebook page, on Twitter (@McCooDavis), or visit 
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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