Tag Archives: The 5th Dimension

Import 5th fun!

Posted on May 20, 2023 | Leave a comment

The 5th Dimension’s light sings…all over the world!

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Florence & the 5th bring “California Soul” to the Saban!

Posted on April 10, 2023 | Leave a comment

#CaliforniaSoul California fans, don’t miss the dazzling Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension live in concert at the Saban Theatre, this Friday, April 14!

Purchase your tickets at:

http://saban.theatrebeverlyhills.org/…

#The5thDimensionMusic#The5thDimensionBand

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Aquarius Sunshine, NAT “KING,” AND MR. Bones!

Posted on March 18, 2023 | Leave a comment

Enjoy 3 Forever 5th Dimension classic flashback features perfect for mid-March 2023:

The Grammy Anniversary of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” here:

Aquarius Anniversary Spells Eternal Sunshine! | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION

The Gentleman of The Original 5th Dimension’s Nat “King” Cole connections, here:

Honoring Nat “King” Cole featuring “5th Dimension Connections” | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION

Updated! Our 90th Birthday Salute to Bones Howe—The Man with the “Golden Ears,” Grammy-winning Producer of The 5th Dimension, here:

Happy Birthday to “The Man with The Golden Ears,” Mr. Bones! | FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION

(Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a Production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-23, Intellectual Property, all rights reserved. Photos: Arno Legacy Collection)

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Joy!

Posted on February 25, 2023 | Leave a comment

From LaMonte McLemore’s FB page:

The final weekend of Black Heritage Month ’23, and we bring you some beloved & rare photos of The Original 5th Dimension, reflecting their intoxicating energy and spirit of joyful elegance.

–R-AA for Team Mac ❤

Enjoy our curated Forever 5th Dimension playlist, “21-plus” tunes celebrating The 5th Dimension stars’ artistic excellence and diverse stylings, here:  

Forever 5th Dimension Honors African American Heritage Month 2023 – YouTube

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION FLASHBACK! Since the title of this edition is “Joy!” how pertinent to share an excerpt, full circle, from our very first edition of Forever 5th, the summer of 2008. This had to do with the musical play JOY and how The 5th Dimension’s recording of “Sky and Sea” came about:

In the “rarities” department and back to my recent visit with Marilyn & Billy, our discussion got into the fan-fave “Sky and Sea,” from The 5th Dimension’s INDIVIDUALLY AND COLLECTIVELY album.  Marilyn beamed, “Oh, I LOVE that song…it’s such a happy tune…and I love a vocal challenge!” I also remember Marilyn talking about this tune on the radio over NYC’s WNEW-AM way back in the ’70’s with the great broadcaster William B. Williams. She noted that just as the group discovered “Aquarius” while attending Broadway’s “Hair,” “Sky and Sea” was “found” while attending the musical “Joy” by the socially conscious singer, actor and writer, Oscar Brown, Jr. Composed by Johnny Alf and performed in the play by Brazilian jazz musician Sevuca–employing accordion and breathy vocal phrasing–the song was a head-turning experience. 

Arranged for The 5th Dimension by the renowned and Jazz-oriented Bob Alcivar and producer Bones Howe, “Sky and Sea” is a wordless vocalese that is as complex as aptly joyful, invoking romantic ocean breezes, a hand-in-hand walk on the sand, a romp in the surf, and perhaps a seagull or two to observe the entire affair!  In my discussion with the late Ron Townson back in the ’90’s, I remember him being extremely proud of this endeavor as well, noting, “That’s why The 5th Dimension is also embraced by jazz lovers, winning the Playboy All Star Jazz Polls!” 

“Now I’m going to have to listen to ‘Sky and Sea’!” Marilyn enthused during our chat, while Billy laughingly agreed.  And on that charming note, I’ll conclude our installment of “Forever 5th Dimension” by suggesting we all join Marilyn & Billy and take a listen to this incredible outing!

Listen to “Sky & Sea” by The 5th Dimension, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyrpH2YKf9c

Very Special Thanks with Love to: Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. #MarilynBilly, LaMonte & Mieko McLemore, the Townson Family, Bones Howe, Miles Robinson, Steve Rosenblum, Jason Winters, Patrice Morris, Floyd Smith Armstrong, Leonard Tucker and Sidney Jacobs…and the worldwide fans, the readers of Forever 5th Dimension for over 15 years! —Robert-Allan Arno

Visit the official website of Florence & The 5th Dimension for 2023 touring schedule & more, here:

Home

Visit the official website of #MarilynBilly for concert appearances, album releases, much more, here:

Home McCoo Davis

Enjoy LaMonte’s hip, hit memoir! “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” 2nd edition, available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hobo-Flats-5th-Dimension-Photography/dp/0692307362/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2023, intellectual property, all rights reserved, photos: Arno 5th Legacy Collection)

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Celebrating Our 15th Year of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION with a From-the-Vaults Release!

Posted on July 17, 2022 | Leave a comment

Dateline July 17, 2022: Forever 5th Dimension, our globally acclaimed blog is celebrating its 15th year this month! And I sincerely thank the stars of The Original 5th Dimension for their many enthusiastic, blessed contributions over the years—multi-Grammy winning legends of the Rock n’ Soul era who continue to be actively performing today, that would be Florence LaRue (with the current 5th Dimension,) and the married team of Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. Not to mention the now retired (but never tired!) LaMonte McLemore (I was honored to be the “as told to” author of his popular memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension”), and remembering the late, beloved Ron Townson.

Recently Marilyn & Billy called me—they loved the over 20 “Billy solos” Forever 5th curated for his birthday last month, powerful, poignant and even pretty songs from different genres and different decades of his career…so I thought, why not add one extra to the list?! To celebrate our 15th, Forever 5th Dimension presents, from the vaults, “Hi-Di-Ho” with Billy in the effortless exuberant lead. The song was originally intended for The 5th Dimension’s SOUL & INPSIRATION album (1974) and as producer Bones Howe told me, “I wanted to give it that ‘Black Patch’ gospel feel…and The 5th and Billy certainly delivered!” Twice before as biographer of The Original 5th and liner note writer/music curator, I attempted to get it released as one of the bonus cuts on the S & I CD re-issue and for PLAYLIST: THE VERY BEST OF THE 5th DIMENSION but due to space limitations, it was “omitted.” Well, here it is, making its global debut approximately 48 years later!

WATCH/LISTEN HERE!!

We dedicate its release to countless devoted worldwide fans, many who have become dear friends…and on behalf of #MarilynBilly, Florence, LaMonte, their respective management, the Townson Family and Mr. Bones; with lovingkindness, we hope you savor every second of this spectacular recording!

—Robert-Allan Arno

Video Photos: The Robert-Allan Arno 5th Legacy Collection, and courtesy Michael Collopy, Arnie Lee, Deniserose Torres, and Andy Gard

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2022, intellectual property, all rights reserved

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Happy 4th…and 5th!

Posted on July 2, 2022 | Leave a comment

Courtesy LaMonte McLemore‘s social media:

Wishing fans, friends & family a happy, peaceful, safe, exhilarating 4th of July weekend! Bless each of you! ❤ Here’s The Original 5th Dimension with our special version of the Declaration of Independence set to music, known as “The Declaration.” Watch us on the Ed Sullivan Show, at this link. It was a watershed performance for us. ~~Mac

Watch here: https://youtu.be/oOUxNAexRzs

And now to the 5th…wouldn’t the classic July 5th (More Hits by the Fabulous 5th Dimension) album make a perfect reissue?! ~~Robert-Allan Arno

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2022, all rights reserved)

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“California Soul”: Like a Sound You Hear!

Posted on June 17, 2022 | Leave a comment

#BlackMusicAppreciationMonth That sexy saga of sand, surf and good lovin’, “California Soul,” recorded by The 5th Dimension from the STONED SOUL PICNIC album is truly a fan fave. In fact, in recent years both Florence LaRue & The 5th Dimension and #MarilynBilly (McCoo & Davis) have brought the sizzler back into their live shows. LaMonte McLemore shares, “When we launched my memoir on the east coast with an onstage chat and book signing, the natural destination to do so was at Ashford & Simpson‘s famed Sugar Bar. It was very full-circle because Nick and Val wrote one of my all-time favorite turntable hits, ‘California Soul.'” Valerie and the late Nickolas, themselves told me for the liners of ULTIMATE 5th DIMENSION, “We loved The 5th Dimension’s heartfelt rendition of our song.”~~Robert-Allan Arno

Enjoy, “California Soul,” remastered, here:

(Forever 5th Dimension a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., by Robert-Allan Arno, copyright 2008-2022, intellectual property, all rights reserved)

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Remembering Mama June

Posted on June 3, 2022 | Leave a comment

Dateline June 3: We’re remembering the birthday of LaMonte McLemore‘s cherished mother, warmly known to all as “Mama June.” So many of you knew of her inspiring example or had the pleasure to be in her incandescent presence. A witness to history, Mama June left us at age 106 in 2020. Read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s accounting of her life, and how meaningful she was to The 5th Dimension family, in the following excerpts:

Mama June had remained the only surviving parent of the original stars of Grammy legends, The 5th Dimension of which 3 members of the quintet, including Mr. McLemore emanated from St Louis. Always beautifully groomed and wonderfully wise, LaMonte proudly shared in his recent memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” as well as with many an interviewer: “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.” 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 and media spokesman, 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. She was elated to witness our first Black president and lived to see our first Black woman, South Asian vice president-elect. 

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-22, Intellectual Property, all rights reserved)

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Happy 90th Birthday to “The Man with The Golden Ears,” Mr. Bones!

Posted on March 18, 2022 | Leave a comment
“Up-Up and Away” Album Recording Session: l to r, Florence, Ron, Marilyn, Billy, LaMonte, Bones Howe and Jimmy Webb

3/18/23: We’re wishing a #Happy90thBirthday to The Original 5th Dimension’s “Man with the Golden Ears,” Mr. Bones Howe. LaMonte McLemore shares, “Here’s to our Grammy-winning mega-producer! As The 5th’s founder, I’d always tell Bones these words: ‘Keep doin’ what you’re doin’!’ He’d always call me ‘Mac’ and I always knew he was humbly appreciative about my seal of approval, ‘visionary to visionary!’” Florence LaRue notes, “Bones would bring us tunes, really clever ones we’d never consider. We were thinking more Motown, he was bringing us Pop-Soul that would eventually make history.” Marilyn McCoo comments emotionally, “When I went back to the studio to hear what Bones did with the Independence Medley from our PORTRAIT album: ‘The Declaration,’ ‘A Change is Gonna Come,” and ‘People Gotta be Free’…I was astounded!” Marilyn and Billy (Davis, Jr.) told FOREVER 5th DIMENSION with a cute chuckle, “Bones always told us to keep it simple in our solos….keep it simple!” Bones himself concurred, “They were such powerhouses, reigning it in made for spectacular recorded performances–Billy was like a horse-power engine under the hood, Marilyn’s plaintive quality was tear-jerking.” When you’d see “Production & Sound by Bones Howe” on one of The 5th Dimension’s latest albums, you’d get a thrill and a chill—yes, you could expect some unique, “patent leather perfect” Champagne Soul!

It was Bones’ genius that put together “Aquarius” with “Let the Sunshine In” from Broadway’s HAIR…it became a Platinum mash-up for the generations and has found new popularity as portrayed by The 5th Dimension, circa ’69 in the Oscar-nominated docu-film “Summer of Soul.” All the stars of The Original 5th Dimension, and myself as the group’s biographer and someone mentored by Bones, concur that he was ever the most assuring and mellow gentleman whose creative finesse helped to unite diverse people, the world over. Please join us in wishing “Mr. Bones” special blessings on the occasion of his milestone 90th birthday. ~~Robert-Allan Arno, FOREVER 5th DIMENSION 

The 5th Dimension & Bones, with his Grammy for “Aquarius/Sunshine”…The 5th received 2 for the medley, too!

Bonus Fact as told to FOREVER 5th DIMENSION: Do you know some of Bones’ personal favorites by The 5th Dimension? “Summer’s Daughter” and “The Worst that Could Happen” from the MAGIC GARDEN album, “Sweet Blindness,” “Workin’ on a Groovy Thing,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Puppet Man,” “Never My Love,” “Open Your Window”

(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-23, intellectual property, all rights reserved.)

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Remembering the Birthday of the Beloved Ron “Sweets” Townson

Posted on January 28, 2022 | Leave a comment

Dateline Jan 29: FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is so proud to honor the birthday of the beloved original member of The 5th Dimension, Ron “Sweets” Townson. In this comprehensive and updated for 2022 tribute to Ron, we hear from his fellow musical stars, family members and the special fans…plus we count down his top 5 (plus!) solos. Ron’s soaring classical vibe, his robust dignity, his touching pride in his contributions to music history will never be forgotten. Please read more at this FOREVER 5th link: https://forever5thdimension.com/2014/01/

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