The 5th Dimension

The Fifth Dimension was an American pop group. It was founded in 1965 in Los Angeles.

  • 2.1 Billy Davis
  • 2.2 Lamonte McLemore
  • 2.3 Ron Townson
  • Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue 2.4
  • 4.1 Largest single success
  • 4.2 albums

History

Originally called the African-American band The Versatiles. As such, they were unsuccessful until they were mediated by the manager Marc Gordon to the record company, Soul City Records, where they then 1968 breakthrough was achieved with the single " Up, Up And Away ", which was honored with five Grammy Awards.

Even more successful was the 1969 adaptation of the songs from the musical Hair, from The Fifth Dimension to a medley together "Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In". The single occupied for six weeks, the first place in the U.S. charts. It was sold 1.5 million times within six weeks, a total of 3 million copies. The accompanying album "Age of Aquarius" ( Age of Aquarius ) remained 72 weeks on the charts, reaching # 2 on the U.S. album charts.

In autumn of the same year (1969 ) reached the Fifth Dimension once again to the top of the U.S. charts with their single " Wedding Bell Blues ", which occupied the top spot three weeks.

Davis Jr., Townson and McLemore lived in the same place in St. Louis, Missouri. Each of them went his own way, until their paths crossed again in Los Angeles, the center of the former Soul era. All they wanted to make the leap into the music business.

Change of name and first single

The Versatiles were the first musicians who were at Soul City Records. Johnny Rivers, founder of the record company changed the name and the appearance in " The Fifth Dimension ".

The first single was called " Lovin 'You Forever / Train Keep On Movin " and posted in the " Billboard Top 20", 1966 16th place

Members

Billy Davis

Davis was a member of several gospel and soul groups and studied in Washington Technology. He opened his own nightclub, and was concerned to go to any shelter with Motown at that time with the idea to Los Angeles.

Lamonte McLemore

McLemore was before moving to Los Angeles professional baseball player and worked as a photographer. He discovered his talent for singing in the U.S. Navy.

Ron Townson

Townson tried as a small boy in the singing of operettas. He received his university degree at Lincoln University before he went with the intention to Los Angeles to get into the music business.

Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue

McLemore should photograph the winner of a photo contest and learned thereby McCoo and LaRue know. Both wanted - first as a hobby - join the group. McCoo was thinking of a solo career as a singer. LaRue actually dreamed of an acting career.

Music

Davis was the composer of the group. He also produced for other artists. Group stranger songs like " What Do You Want ( From Me Girl) " ancestral eg from his pen. Among the participating producers of The Fifth Dimension from famous composers like Jimmy Webb, Laura Nyro, Burt Bacharach, Ashford & Simpson.

The appeared on the album " Stoned Soul Picnic " (1968) entitled " It'll Never Be The Same Again" and " Broken Wing Bird" with the shallow background vocals by McCoo, LaRue and Davis are songs that the romantic ( African-American play ) "California Soul" of the late 1960s. A title of the Fifth Dimension was also named California Soul.

Discography

Largest single success

  • February 4, 1967: Go Where You Wanna Go ( 16th place)
  • June 17, 1967: Up Up & Away ( 7th place)
  • December 9, 1967: Paper Cup ( No. 34 )
  • February 24, 1968: Carpet One Soul City ( No. 29 )
  • June 22, 1968: Stoned Soul Picnic ( 3rd place)
  • October 26, 1968: Sweet Blindness ( 13th)
  • January 11, 1969: California Soul Soul City (No. 25)
  • March 15, 1969: Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In ( # 1 ) 6 weeks
  • August 9, 1969: Workin 'On A Groovy Thing Soul City ( No. 20 )
  • October 4, 1969: Wedding Bell Blues ( Will You Marry Me Bill) ( # 1 ) 3 weeks
  • January 24, 1970: Blowing Away Soul City ( No. 21 )
  • May 2, 1970: Puppet Man ( # 24 )
  • June 27, 1970: Save The Country ( 27th place )
  • November 21, 1970: One Less Bell To Answer (No. 2 for two weeks)
  • March 13, 1971: Love's Lines, Angles & Rhymes ( 19th place )
  • October 2, 1971: Never My Love ( 12th place)
  • January 29, 1972: Together Let's Find Love ( # 37 )
  • April 22, 1972: ( Last Night ) I Did not Get To Sleep ( 8th place)
  • September 30, 1972: If I Could Reach You ( # 10 )
  • February 10, 1973: Living Together, Growing Together ( No. 32 )

Albums

  • Up, Up And Away (1967 )
  • The Magic Garden (1967 )
  • Stoned Soul Picnic (1968 )
  • The Age Of Aquarius (1969 )
  • Portrait ( 1970)
  • Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes (1971 )
  • Reflections ( 1971)
  • The 5th Dimension / Live! (1971)
  • Individually & Collectively (1972 )
  • Living Together, Growing Together (1973 )
  • Soul & Inspiration ( 1974)
  • Earthbound (1975 )
  • High On Sunshine ( 1978)
  • Star Dancing ( 1978)
  • In The House (1995 )
Fifth Dimension (album) Galt MacDermot
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