Celebrating our 18th Year! A TRIBUTE TO THE MULTI-GRAMMY WINNING LEGENDARY STARS of THE ORIGINAL 5TH DIMENSION, Curated by Biographer, Robert-Allan Arno ~~ History & Current Events, Exclusive Quotes & Interviews, Rare Photo Collection! Recommended by McCoo/Davis, LaRue & McLemore!
Echoing the King Center’s remembrance of Pope Francis, we mourn that, as of the day after Easter, the world is without a humane, love-centered leader of non-violence and hope for global relief from poverty and war. We also remember that Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. performed “Praise Ye the Lord” for Pope John Paul II when he visited San Antonio in 1987. Here is our FOREVER 5th DIMENSION video, produced for Easter season, of that heartfelt duet, taken from Billy’s Gospel album of the 80’s titled “Let Me Have a Dream,” and re-issued as “The Love of God”:
We also wish to happily remind you that Pastor Billy and Marilyn’s ministry, Soldiers for the Second Coming currently presents their “Easter Special” broadcast, one of musical joy and thoughtful inspiration. Watch here and let the message of Easter continue to uplift us all:
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2025, intellectual property, all rights reserved.
On this Good Friday and forthcoming Easter holiday weekend, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION re-visits our video production of “Praise Ye The Lord,” the Biblical phrase so sweetly yet passionately emoted by our beloved husband and wife singing duo, Pastor Billy Davis, Jr. with “special guest,” Ms. Marilyn McCoo. This piece is from Billy’s acclaimed Gospel project co-produced with the man known as “The King of Gospel Music,” Rev. James Cleveland. Originally issued as the LET ME HAVE A DREAM album on Savoy records in 1982, it was re-issued in 2011 as THE LOVE OF GOD on CD by the Davis’ own Soldiers2ndCmg Records. An important musical milestone, this work deftly edifies (the now Pastor) Billy’s Christian walk (as well as his wife’s) and is a “Billy solo project” simply in a class by itself. Songs like “The Love of God,” Davis, Jr.’s homage to both the Soul Stirrers‘ back-in-the-day Gospel hit as well as Rev. Cleveland’s own cover hit of the song are sheer “elegance in tradition.” Billy takes the late Danniebelle Hall‘s Gospel anthem, “Ordinary People” to a poignant personal place, and has some holy fun with “I’m Blessed,” a tune he actually performed on SOLID GOLD, the popular syndicated Pop music/dance show Marilyn hosted at the original time of this release. And Pastor Davis’ duet with Rev. Cleveland on “Steal Away” is the perfect vehicle for not only Cleveland’s textured vocals meeting Billy’s one-of-a-kind soulful timbre, but for repping the melding of the Reverend’s arranging reputation with Billy Davis Jr.’s renowned sensibility–a traditional “hard Gospel” meets an R & B-tinged inspirational delivery that Billy told Forever 5th Dimension, “…was a conscious decision to take Rev. Cleveland’s bold sound design and add my own contemporary vision, we really worked easily in our collaboration.”
For its poise yet charismatic magnificence, the song from THE LOVE OF GOD that Forever 5th Dimension/The Soul of the Voice, Ltd. chooses to feature for this Easter season presentation, “Praise Ye the Lord,” is a beautiful testimony with a “night to day” panoramic expanse, underscoring the vocalists’ quintessential aura–Billy’s ingenious “Sweet-Soul” approach with Marilyn’s trademark smooth yet intensely committed rendering. As biographer of The Original 5th Dimension, “Praise Ye the Lord” has extra special personal significance as it was the closing theme to my drive-time radio show, GOSPEL GOLD of the 80’s, becoming a fan favorite, New York chart-topper as a result. Billy and Marilyn performed this song for the Pope, as well.
For those who may not have heard this rarity, I proudly share it, wishing you the peace and uplift of this spring season of faithful renewal as I honor my dear friends and mentors, Marilyn and Billy…this song embodies their essence as grateful souls whose grace–musical and as the loveliest of people–has inspired generations.
Robert-Allan Arno–Biographer, The Original 5th Dimension
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 