This past week, the music world lost the legendary pop songstress Connie Francis, whose early ’60s hits captured her versatility–one of dynamic prowess, playfulness, and adeptness in interpreting both beloved Italian and Jewish tunes. Connie scored hits co-written by Neil Sedaka, including the bubbly “Stupid Cupid” and the anthemic “Where the Boys Are.” Nearly a decade later, The 5th Dimension found chart success with Sedaka songs, too—“Workin’ on a Groovy Thing” and “Puppet Man.” Our prayers are with Connie’s family, whom she always considered to be her legions of global fans.
We also mourn the passing of Alan Bergman, who—alongside his late wife Marilyn—gave us timeless standards such as “The Way We Were” (with Marvin Hamlisch) and “How Do You Keep the Music Playing” (with Michel Legrand). We remember the prolific magic of the Bergmans, as Marilyn McCoo movingly delivers the former, and Marilyn & Billy (Davis, Jr.) duet on the latter from their album The Many Faces of Love. –Robert-Allan Arno
Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., intellectual property, all rights reserved, copyright 2008-2025
LaMonte’s Memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” is available here: 
Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. celebrated 46 years of marriage in ‘15 and continue to tour to the best reviews of their career–from Vegas to symphony concerts to cabaret venues and music cruises. 
The engaging duo joined me here at FOREVER 5th in July to honor their anniversary and the blog’s 7th year with an in-depth interview—we laughed, cried and shared some pretty unique thoughts on the music, the magic and even had a mini Master Class. Read “Marilyn & Billy: Singing in the Light” at: 
Marilyn & Billy say: “To all our special friends who stay in touch with us throughout the year, you are our motivation for continuing to do the things we do. Your messages asking us to come to your area mean so much. You don’t know how much we want to perform in every one of those cities and towns…you are truly the wind beneath our wings!”
Florence LaRue , the sole original member and lead singer of The 5th Dimension today, toasted a milestone this past October, her 50th year with the group! Along with Patrice Morris, Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker and Floyd A Smith, she plays to sold-out crowds–including an outdoor concert this past summer of over 20 thousand fans in attendance!
She also presents her one-woman show, “Just As I Am.” Florence is completing her book on beauty “from the inside out,” she told me with her trademark enthusiasm. Bringing her effervescence to the new year, the “delightful diva” just appeared on the Mayor’s Discover LA float at the Rose Parade and offers this to fans: “I pray for you a year (and LIFE ) blessed with good health, peace, prosperity (in ALL things), wonderful music, joy, and love!”
It was a banner year for founder of The 5th Dimension and renowned photographer, LaMonte McLemore. The long-anticipated memoir I had the pleasure of co-authoring with “Mac,” “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music” was released this year to 5-star raves including stellar reviews from colleagues Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Marilyn & Billy, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, Neil Sedaka, and JD Nicholas of The Commodores. 
A book that’s equal parts historic, heartwarming and downright hysterical, Mac and I toured with our on-stage chat & autograph signing events from Vegas to NYC, in fact, Marilyn & Billy joined us as special guests for our book launch on Valentine’s Day.
Then later, LaMonte joined the duo on their own concert stage at The Orleans Casino Hotel for a chorus of “Let the Sunshine In.”
LaMonte appeared on countless radio formats and morning TV shows nationwide and plans more promotion of the book in 2016…as they say, the juicy but inspiring memoir including 50 photos, his Grandma’s wisdom, and even a recipe “has legs.” A songwriter from back in the day (remember “A Love Like Ours”?), LaMonte also debuted a new tune this year , the soulfully uplifting “If I Could Fly.”
LaMonte smiles: “‘From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension’…to a new year! How can I thank each of you–friends, fans & family, for your support & enthusiasm this past year as I launched a dream-come true memoir…and got to see so many of you on tour! Wishing you peace, love, blessings & good health in 2016… see ya “on the road” for more adventures! “If I Could Fly”…that’s just what I did…let’s continue doing it together.”
Order “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” at Amazon: 
Incomparable
Robert-Allan Arno
Special thanks to you, the special fans and to my shining stars for your continued, committed support of the FOREVER 5th DIMENSION blog—Marilyn & Billy, Florence and LaMonte. Also to Randall Jeffries, Steve Rosenblum, Patrice Morris and Mieko McLemore. Photo credits: DeniseRose Torres, Christoper Troy, Andy Gard, The Arno 5th McCoo/Davis Legacy Collection, The LaMonte McLemore Collection.
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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