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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZFIFTH DIMENSION, TheUS pop/soul vocal act first called the Versatiles, then Hi-Fis, new name '67. Lineup: Marilyn McCoo (b 30 Sep. '43, Jersey City), Florence LaRue (b 4 Feb. '44, PA), LaMont McLemore (b 17 Sep. '40), Ron Townson (b 20 Jan. '41), Billy Davis (b 26 Jun. '40); last three from St Louis. Earlier group incl. Floyd Butler and Harry Elston, later of Friends of Distinction. New group signed to Johnny Rivers's Soul City label by manager Mark Gordon (who later married new recruit LaRue). Had no. 16 hit with cover of Mamas and Papas' 'Go Where You Wanna Go', found stride with songs mostly written by Jim Webb, prod. by Bones Howe: 'Up Up And Away' was no. 7, got four Grammys, became cabaret standard; LP with that title was no. 8 (McCoo and Davis married '69 in a hot air balloon). The Magic Garden '68 didn't do as well, but Stoned Soul Picnic same year (no. 21 LP) still regarded as a classic for exciting, original vocal arrangements: Laura Nyro title song was no. 3 hit; 'Sweet Blindness' no. 15. Biggest triumph was Hair medley: 'Aquarius /Let The Sunshine In' from no. 2 LP The Age Of Aquarius was no. 1 USA/11 UK '69; LP incl. Nyro's 'Wedding Bell Blues' (no. 1 USA/16 UK in year of two marriages in group). Hits continued through '73; with group moving towards MOR biggest hits were 'One Less Bell To Answer' (no. 2 '70; no. 20 LP Portrait); '(Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All' (no. 8 '72, no. 58 LP Individually And Collectively also incl. no. 10 hit 'If I Could Reach You'). Greatest Hits '70 was no. 5, last big hit LP. The act became slick and lost its soulful edge; an appearance at Nixon's White House destroyed remaining credibility with black audience. Early exuberance not recaptured in reunion with Webb for Earthbound '75 on ABC (no. 136 LP); by then McCoo and Davis had left for own hits 'You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show)' (saccharine no. 1 '76), 'Your Love' (no. 15 '77); later divorced. Other LPs incl. The July 5th Album '70, Love's Lines, Angles And Rhymes, Live!! two-disc set and Reflections, all '71, Greatest Hits On Earth '72 (compilation from both Soul City, Bell labels), Living Together, Growing Together '73. |