The 5th Dimension
Bringing a unique mixture of diverse talent to the group, Billy Davis, Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Lamonte McLemore, Florence LaRue and Ron Townson combined their jazz, opera, R&B, gospel and dancing experience to form The 5th Dimension.
Discovered by recording star Johnny Rivers in 1966 and signed to his Soul City Records, a few months later in 1967 The 5th Dimension had their first hit with âGo Where You Wanna Goâ and landed in the top ten with âUp, Up, And Awayâ. âStoned Soul Picnicâ reached the top five in 1968 and in early 1969 a song from the Broadway rock musical âHairâ gave them their first #1 chart topper âAge of Aquarius (Let the Sunshine In)â.
In that same year as Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo exchanged wedding vows, âWedding Bell Bluesâ followed with their second #1. Peaking at #2 on the charts in 1970 they hit with, âOne Less Bell to Answerâ. âNever My Loveâ hit in 1971 and a year later two more top ten charters, âLast Night, I Didnât Get To Sleep At Allâ and âIf I Could Reach Youâ.
In 1976, as a duo Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis topped the chart at #1 with, âYou Donât Have to Be a Star to be in My Showâ.
McCoo & Davis continue to entertain and The 5th Dimension have been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Ron Townson died in 2001.