The 5th Dimension -

The 5th Dimension was an American harmony soul-pop group from Los Angeles. Between 1967 and 1972, they landed seven Billboard Top 10 hits, including songs by Jimmy Webb (“Up, Up and Away”), Laura Nyro (“Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues”), Bacharach–David (“One Less Bell to Answer”), and the Hair medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” rounded by the ballad “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All.”

Members: Florence LaRue (vocals), Lamonte McLemore (vocals, 1966-2006), Ron Townson (vocals, 1966-78, 1980-97), Billy Davis, Jr. (vocals, 1966-75), Marilyn McCoo (vocals, 1966-75), Danny Beard (vocals, 1976-78), Eloise Laws (vocals, 1975-76), Marjorie Barnes (vocals, 1976-78), Mic Bell (vocals, 1978), Lou Courtney (vocals, 1978-79), Terri Bryant (vocals, 1978-79), Michael Procter (vocals, 1979-89), Joyce Wright Pierce (vocals, 1979-87)

Background

The 5th Dimension formed as the Versatiles in 1965 in Los Angeles when singer–photographer Lamonte McLemore assembled singers Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Ron Townson, and Florence LaRue.

McLemore was born on September 17, 1935, in St. Louis and graduated from Sumner High School before he served as a Navy aerial photographer. He subsequently pitched in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system and established a Los Angeles photography career through Halmont Graphics and magazine assignments.

Townson was born on January 29, 1933, in St. Louis and sang in church choirs from age six. He studied at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, where he directed choirs and placed among the leading singers in Missouri auditions for the Metropolitan Opera. Townson moved to Los Angeles in 1957 and worked with Dorothy Dandridge and Nat King Cole before he formed the Celestial Choir.

Davis was born on June 26, 1938, in St. Louis and sang gospel from childhood. He attended Washington Technical High School, where he sang with the Emeralds, and formed the Kingsmen while stationed in Germany with the US Army. Davis moved to Los Angeles in 1965 in pursuit of a Motown recording contract.

McCoo was born on September 30, 1943, in Jersey City, New Jersey, to physicians Mary and Waymon McCoo. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was seven, and McCoo studied voice, piano, and dance before she graduated from Dorsey High School and earned a business-administration degree from UCLA. She won the Grand Talent award at the 1962 Miss Bronze California pageant, where she met McLemore. He recruited McCoo for the Hi-Fi’s, a Los Angeles vocal group that worked clubs, toured with Ray Charles, and recorded “Lonesome Mood” before the group dissolved in the mid-1960s.

LaRue was born on February 4, 1942, in Plainfield, New Jersey, and spent part of her childhood in Glenside, Pennsylvania, where she studied dance and violin. After her family moved to Los Angeles, she earned an associate degree from Los Angeles City College and a bachelor’s degree in education from California State College in Los Angeles. LaRue worked as a student teacher at Grant Elementary School and won honors in the Miss Bronze California pageant before McLemore invited her into the Versatiles.

Early Singles

The Versatiles rehearsed in Los Angeles and prepared a demo for Motown, which McLemore carried to Detroit for Berry Gordy. Marc Gordon subsequently became group manager and secured a recording arrangement with Bob Keane’s Bronco Records. Bronco issued the Marc Gordon-produced “You’re Good Enough for Me” in April 1966 (b/w “Bye Bye Baby”).

Gordon next brought the quintet to singer Johnny Rivers, who signed the group to his Soul City label and requested a new name. Townson and his wife proposed the 5th Dimension, which the five singers adopted before Soul City issued “I’ll Be Lovin’ You Forever” in November 1966 (b/w “Train, Keep On Movin’”). Rivers selected the John Phillips song “Go Where You Wanna Go” for the follow-up, which Soul City issued in December 1966 (b/w “Too Poor to Die”); the single reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. By March 11, 1967, the 5th Dimension had completed the United Western Recorders sessions for their debut album, Up – Up and Away.

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