Tag Archives: You Don’t Have to be a Star (To be in my Show)

“57 Years of Love”: Celebrating Marilyn & Billy’s Wedding Anniversary with 45 Non-Stop Performances!

At FOREVER 5th DIMENSION, July 26th signifies an anniversary date in the hearts of fans and friends who feel Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr.  have been part of our lives…well, forever—as musical artists of harmony, grace, and stylish soul…as role models of faith, class, and individual and collective excellence.

Indeed, it seems that “the First Couple of Pop & Soul,” the 7-time Grammy-winning “You Don’t Have to be a Star duo and former lead singers of legends, The 5th Dimension, have always welcomed us to “be in their show.”

For their “57 Years of Love,” the best way to celebrate their timelessly enduring wedding anniversary is with this newly updated FOREVER 5th curated non-stop playlist—featuring 45 of Marilyn & Billy’s greatest recordings and performances, from iconic hits to treasured rarities.

“Hit the Player for Non-Stop Marilyn & Billy…45 performances!”

Two of the most distinct and recognizable voices of the Rock and Soul era, Marilyn’s silky, multi-octave approach and Billy’s textured, soaring timbre meld to sound “as one”—a remarkable musical alchemy Marilyn once discussed with me in one of our many interviews. Billy concurred: “It’s amazing that Marilyn and I can get a family blend when we sing together!”

Considering their eternal bond of deep friendship as spiritual soulmates, it’s perfect to begin our player with “The Two of Us.” Enjoy the artistic twists and turns throughout—quintessential TV appearances, including collaborations with Captain & Tennille, Sonny & Cher, Dolly Parton and Mel Torme, plus the danceable recordings, the inspirational ones, and lots of love songs from break-up to make-up, and everything in between. Yes, Marilyn & Billy always seem to “make us feel brand new!”

I personally thank Marilyn & Billy for their longtime trust, continuing mentorship, plus unwavering loving kindness towards global fans…and they too, get such a kick out of our annual, ever expanding Forever 5th Dimension playlist! So along with our “MarBill,” special fans & friends, we ask you to simply start the player above, and let our lovebirds artfully fill the air with incomparable beauty and effortless musicianship.

With Love Always to you, Marilyn & Billy,

Robert-Allan Arno and Worldwide Fans

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION by Robert-Allan Arno. Copyright © 2008–2026 The Soul of The Voice, Ltd. All rights reserved. Intellectual property of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., no portion may be reproduced, distributed, or used without prior written permission.

Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary, Marilyn & Billy! (Featuring a Non-Stop Playlist of 40+ of Their Greatest Performances)

July 26th marks a special date in the hearts of fans and friends who feel Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. have been part of our lives from the very beginning—as musical artists of harmony, grace, and soul… as role models of pure class and individual and collective excellence.

Known as “the First Couple of Pop & Soul,” the 7-time Grammy-winning “You Don’t Have to be a Star” duo and former lead singers of legends, The 5th Dimension, have always invited us to “be in their show.”

This year, the best way to celebrate their wedding anniversary is with this newly updated FOREVER 5th DIMENSION curated non-stop playlist—featuring 40+ of Marilyn & Billy’s greatest recordings and performances, from iconic hits to treasured rarities.

Two of the most distinct and recognizable voices of the Rock and Soul era, Marilyn’s sumptuously lush quality and Billy’s textured, soaring timbre meld to sound “as one”—a remarkable musical alchemy Marilyn once discussed with me in one of our many interviews. Billy concurred: “It’s amazing that Marilyn and I can get a family blend when we sing together!”

And yet, perhaps it’s not so surprising, considering their eternal bond of deep friendship and spiritual faith—as soulmates forever. “We’ll be there, the two of us,” as one of their signature tunes declares. And *“those who knew of us”—*devoted fans like you and me—have warmly woven “MarBill” into the tapestry of our lives.

As I personally thank Marilyn & Billy for their trust, mentorship, and unwavering loving kindness, we now invite you to dig into their non-stop playlist. Just hit the player above, aptly starting with “How Do You Keep the Music Playing”—and let these “lovebirds” of dedication to craft fill the air with incomparable beauty and passion.

Love Always,
Robert-Allan Arno

Don’t miss Marilyn & Billy’s intimate evening at Catalina Jazz, Friday & Saturday, Aug. 15 & 16!

Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., copyright 2008-2025, intellectual property, all rights reserved.

We Remember Casey Kasem…

The 5th Dimension Family is saddened by the passing of legendary “American Top 40” host, Casey Kasem.  Reflecting back, wasn’t it thrilling for we who got to listen first-hand each Sunday to Casey’s account, week-by-week of how “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All” was ascending the chart…just to hear him say “Marilyn McCoo,” was a bonus!  And later, he gave us the scoop on “You Don’t Have to be a Star (To be in My Show),” Marilyn & Billy’s Disco era, sweet-Soul mega-hit.  (Note:  We also recently lost Don Davis, the renown producer of “Star.”)

LaMonte McLemore reminds, “Casey, just like Dick Clark and Don Cornelius, was a very good friend to The 5th Dimension, in fact, he attended our induction ceremony, when we received our star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”

As well, Casey–a quintessential gentleman with a  witty sense of humor– gave me a gloriously heartfelt quote about the group for my ULTIMATE 5th DIMENSION liner notes, one I use to this day as biographer:

“The 5th Dimension stood in a class by themselves.”  –Casey Kasem

God bless his legacy.  —Robert-Allan Arno

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