Our 19th Year! A TRIBUTE TO THE MULTI-GRAMMY WINNING LEGENDARY STARS of THE ORIGINAL 5TH DIMENSION, Curated by Biographer, Robert-Allan Arno. Featuring History & Current Events, Exclusive Quotes & Interviews, Rare Photo Collection! Recommended by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, & Remembering LaMonte McLemore
#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)
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)
“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.)
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/
The Original 5th Dimension (Arno 5th Legacy Collection)
#RightOn! FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is pleased to report that in Rewound Radio’s (the #1 Oldies Internet Radio Station) year-end Top 77 All Time Hits Listener Voted Survey, The 5th Dimension scored 5 hits: “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Up-Up and Away,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” Thank you, fans & friends, for casting your votes, and to Program Director Allan Sniffen who shows such great respect for The 5th Dimension legacy, all year through. Listen to Rewound through New Year’s Day to hear the Top 77, and guess what? LaMonte McLemore, Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, and Billy Davis, Jr. intro the 5th hits, themselves, with fresh ID’s that I was so pleased to coordinate with the stars & Rewound!! ~~Robert-Allan Arno
#Vote* Our good friends at Rewound Radio are always supportive of the legacy of The 5th Dimension–playing their many hits, honoring the individual member’s birthdays, even featuring Marilyn & Billy’s new songs! Now is the time for their 24th Annual “Top Songs” Survey! And NOW is the perfect time to let them know your favorites from the Pop n’ Soul classic Top 40 era! Pick your favorite 10, it’s easy and fun! Rank your choices in order, listing your most fave at #1!
#Listen!The Top 77 will be counted down on Rewound Radio (www.rewoundradio.com) December 26th. Then, the Top 77 plus hundreds of other songs that also got votes will be featured all Holiday Week on Rewound Radio!
Special thanks to Rewound Radio, Program Director, Allan Sniffen and all the Fans for your participation!
#Forever5thDimension is Honoring Veterans Day 2021 and all who have served in the US Military including original members Billy Davis, Jr. (US Army, where Billy sung on stage under Army auspices while stationed in Germany), and LaMonte McLemore (who served as a US Navy Seal and did photography for government medical-illustration purposes). God bless each of you who have served our country.
Billy and LaMonte at the St. Louis Walk of Fame Ceremony for The 5th Dimension
Quote from LaMonte McLemore as featured in his memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” as told to Robert-Allan Arno:
“Seriously, when a Vietnam Vet tells me he can never forget the feeling of hearing ‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’ for the first time on Armed Forces Radio, that our harmonies kept him connected to home while so far away, it surely warms my heart. When other Vets confide with pride that one of my JET ‘Beauty’s’ was their prime pinup…hey now, I smile!”
(Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd.,, copyright 2008-2021, intellectual property, all rights reserved)
Dateline September 17: Today is a sweet celebration, the birthday of the one & only LaMonte McLemore. Some know him worldwide as the multi-Grammy winning “mellow bass” and stylish, visionary founder of legends, The 5th Dimension. Others know him as the premier freelance photographer for JET magazine’s trailblazing Beauty of the Week feature. In your own life’s journey, you may have been in a 5th Dimension sold-out audience, modeled for & been photographed by him, or played a cool game of softball sharing the field. And everyone who has had a personal “moment with Mac” is made to feel special because LaMonte has a knack for seeing everyone’s individual “greatest hit!”
About 2 years ago, LaMonte suffered a stroke. May this greeting also serve as an update, since many of you have inquired. He is progressing well and via this message reaches out to each of you to say “Right on,” and even remember your own birthdays! Like you, LaMonte was thrilled with The 5th Dimension’s appearance in this summer’s Indy film blockbuster, “Summer of Soul.” And he appreciated your sympathies at the passing of his cherished “Mama June” at age 106, this past year. And guess what? Something you probably know…LaMonte always “keeps on steppin’!” He will soon announce some very exciting new projects he & his team have been working on, always pleasing friends, fans, and family!
We appreciate LaMonte’s capacity 5,000 Facebook friends here, we keep his page fresh and up-to-date with not only rare photos & select memories but current events…and making it inclusive, supporting the projects of the other members of The Original 5th Dimension, the married team of Marilyn & Billy, plus Florence & The current 5th Dimension…we call them “5th Family.” And in that family spirit, LaMonte, Mieko and myself, his biographer & social media curator/media spokesman love putting our heads together to bring you our lively best.
So please leave your birthday greetings for LaMonte…he will certainly enjoy reading them and sends you his love & blessings on his special day! ~~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)
Dateline 8/15: #HappyBirthday to our forever friend and the musical genius who is Jimmy Webb. In fact, it’s Jimmy’s 75th today and you can join him on his official Facebook page for a live Q & A at 2pm, est. From the Grammy magic of The 5th Dimension’s signature tune “Up-Up and Away,” to the iconic “Magic Garden” album, to the progressive “Earthbound”…Jimmy, you are simply the best! Love and God bless from “Mac”
The 5th Dimension at the Grammy’s with Jimmy Webb. Multi-awards for them…and special Grammy costumes for “The 5th” by Boyd Clopton
Happy Birthday to “Tunesmith extraordinaire” Jimmy Webb. Over the years, he’s given me wonderful quotes for magazine articles and liners about my cherished The 5th Dimension and is an indelible part of LaMonte’s memoir, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” which I had the pleasure and honor to co-author. God bless you, Jimmy! And how thrilling for you to acknowledge Mac on your live birthday broadcast. Noting his bass, and “authentic trash barrel sound”…aka, singing on the doo-wop street corner ’round the barrel for echo, is something LaMonte truly appreciates. ~~Robert-Allan Arno, 2021
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2021, intellectual property, all rights reserved
FOREVER 5th DIMENSION presents the Top 5 for Summer of 2021 for your listening, reading & viewing pleasure–in no necessary order…they’re all spectacular with kudos to Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue and LaMonte McLemore. Oh, and don’t forget our exclusive online magazine interview with Marilyn & Billy coming for their 52nd wedding anniversary, the end of July! OK, let’s countdown…or count up “Up and Away!”
Marilyn & Billy‘s latest CD, “Blackbird: Lennon/McCartney Icons” is a statement piece in their recording legacy. Our “MarBill” add their inimitable approach with freshness, and a distinct Civil Rights bent to the music of Lennon/McCartney. Critically, celebrity and fan-acclaimed, available at Amazon here: Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons by Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. on Amazon Music – Amazon.com
I just reviewed Florence‘s new book “Grace in Your Second Act– A Guide to Aging Gracefully” (see our previous Forever 5th article) and I am still marveling at the amount of research and anecdotal information our “delightful diva” has compiled. It’s an important self-help & faith-based book with strategies that are practical, revelation-al, and oftentimes cute, poignant and celebrity-inspired. Read it “On the Beach (In the Summertime),” available at Amazon here: Grace in Your Second Act: A Guide to Aging Gracefully: LaRue, Florence, Paschall, Jenny: 9781664227088: Amazon.com: Books
LaMonte‘s hit memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension,” now in its 2nd edition, and something I am so honored to have co-written with Mac, is one hip literary trip. Recommended by Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, Otis Williams of the Temptations, more, LaMonte talks music history, Black history, and shares the secrets that made The 5th Dimension harmonic unifiers–bringing together generations, races and crossing record chart boundaries. Lots of laughs and celeb anecdotes…as only “Mac” can tell a story! Available at Amazon…another great beach read!: Amazon.com: From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music (9780692307366): McLemore, LaMonte, Arno, Robert-Allan: Books
The Ultimate 5th Dimension CD reviewed as “the best-sounding, best-annotated anthology” of the quintet by All Music Guide is a 21 song overview of The 5th’s recorded hit magic. And yes, I was so proud to compile the tunes with mega-producer Bones Howe for this project and write the extensive liners. Ultimate is a perennial AND back on the charts due to the “5th resurgence” created by “Summer of Soul,” and now at the “nice price,” at Amazon: The 5th Dimension – Ultimate 5th Dimension – Amazon.com Music
Last by not least, “Summer of Soul” is the hit docu-film of the summer! Producer Questlove unearthed countless pristine celluloid hours of African American musical luminaries performing at The Harlem Cultural Festival, circa 1969. Akin to a “Black Woodstock,” Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mahalia Jackson, Sly & The Family Stone, and more took to the stage before hundreds of thousands. The #1 song of the day (and the year for that matter), actually a “mash-up” of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” courtesy of Broadway’s HAIR, performed with verve and optimistic joy by a brightly attired The 5th Dimension (Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Billy Davis, Jr., Ron Townson and McLemore) is one of the movie’s centerpieces. As biographer of The Original 5th Dimension and Mr. McLemore, I stated to SoulTracks and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “To see The 5th Dimension on the big screen at the apex of their career is thrilling for their many fans, more so it underscores the unexpected power of the group’s unique ebullient flavor.” Be sure to see “Summer of Soul” at a theater near you…or enjoy at home on Hulu! ~~Robert-Allan Arno
(Hit right arrow to experience slideshow!)
Forever 5th Dimension by Robert-Allan Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-21, intellectual property, all rights reserved
FOREVER 5TH DIMENSION 
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