ABOUT
The 5th Dimension is a highly acclaimed and veteran R&B/soul/sunshine pop male-female vocal quintet with a smooth, sophisticated sound that became famous during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their long string of hits includes such era-defining classics as the joyous "Up - Up And Away" (1967), the celebratory "Stoned Soul Picnic" (1968), the glorious "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" (1969), the yearning "Wedding Bell Blues" (1969), and the doleful "One Less Bell To Answer" (1970).
Formed in Los Angeles in 1965, the original lineup consisted of Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis, Jr., Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore, and Ron Townson (January 29, 1933 - August 2, 2001), with a number of personnel changes beginning in 1975. First known as The Versatiles, the group changed its name to The 5th Dimension in 1966 when they signed to Johnny Rivers' Soul City Records. Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., who married in 1969, later started recording as a duo and topped the charts in 1977 with "You Don't Have To Be A Star."
The 5th Dimension debuted on the charts in 1967 with "Go Where You Wanna Go," and the group's popularity soared later that year with the Grammy-winning "Up - Up And Away," which became a Top 10 hit. The 5th Dimension long string of hits on the Pop/Rock, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts through the late 1970s also includes "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" (1969) and "Wedding Bell Blues" (1969), and "(Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All" (1972). The "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" medley is among the songs from the famous and then-controversial late 1960s rock musical, "Hair."
The 5th Dimension has continued to perform and record actively to the present day, with Florence LaRue as the only remaining original member. Their numerous honors and accolades include several Grammys and being inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2002).
LINKS
- Rolling Stone remembers 5th Dimension original member Ron Townson.
MERCHANDISE
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- The 5th Dimension - CDs, vinyl, & more - Amazon.com
- The 5th Dimension - Digital music - Amazon.com
- The 5th Dimension - Rare vinyl, CDs, & more - MusicStack.com
- The 5th Dimension - Sheet Music - SheetMusicPlus.com
SONGS
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The 5th Dimension
- Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) 1969
(This song, which topped the charts, is from the rock musical "Hair.") - Blowing Away 1970
- California Soul 1968
(This song later also became a hit for Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1970).) - Carpet Man 1968
- Go Where You Wanna Go 1967
- (Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All 1972
- If I Could Reach You 1972
- Living Together, Growing Together 1973
- Love's Lines, Angles And Rhymes 1971
- Never My Love 1971
(This song was previously a hit for the Association (1967) and the Sandpebbles (1968) and later also became a hit for Blue Swede (1974) and the Addrisi Brothers (1977).) - One Less Bell To Answer 1970
- Paper Cup 1967
- Puppet Man 1970
(This Neil Sedaka-penned song later also became a hit for Tom Jones (1971).) - Save The Country 1970
(This song also became a hit for Thelma Houston (1970).) - Stoned Soul Picnic 1968
- Sweet Blindness 1968
- Together Let's Find Love 1972
- Up - Up And Away 1967
(This song also became a hit for the Johnny Mann Singers (1967) and Hugh Masekela (1968).) - Wedding Bell Blues 1969
("Wedding Bell Blues" topped the charts for the 5th Dimension in 1969. Laura Nyro, who wrote this song, previously had a minor hit with it in 1967.) - Workin' On A Groovy Thing 1969
(This song was previously a hit for Patti Drew (1968).)
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