Children of the ’60s and ’70s remember Marilyn McCoo as the beautiful, sultry lead singer of Grammy-winning R&B/pop group 5th Dimension. McCoo was spotted feeding the homeless at The Los Angeles Mission Thanksgiving Event — as she does every year.
Today’s singers can’t hold a candle to eight time Grammy winner Marilyn McCoo.
McCoo, 75, was the main vocalist on the 5th Dimension’s memorable hit songs “Up, Up & Away”, “One Less Bell to Answer”, “Stoned Soul Picnic”, “Wedding Bell Blues”, “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All”, “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In”, and many more hits.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, Marilyn spent her first 7 years in Columbus, Georgia before moving with her family to Los Angeles. There she learned to sing and took piano and dance lessons.
At age 15, she joined Art Linkletter‘s Talent Show and began modeling. After graduating from high school, she earned a degree in business administration at UCLA.
On the way to superstardom, she won the Miss Bronze California beauty pageant in 1962.
In the mid-1960s, Marilyn met her future husband Billy Davis, Jr., and she became a member of his singing group The Versatiles, which later became the 5th Dimension. The group also included Florence LaRue, Ron Townson and photographer Lamonte McLemore.
The group’s first big smash hit was “Up, Up and Away”, released in 1967. The song won four Grammys in 1968 and was the title track of the 5th Dimension’s debut LP.
Marilyn and Billy will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on July 26, 2019.
5th Dimension – If I Could Reach You
5th Dimension – One Less Bell to Answer
5th Dimension – Stoned Soul Picnic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgPGDRc7_kM
The 5th Dimension – Wedding Bell Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG85H5buOc0
The 5th Dimension – (Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GztV3yWNJJw
The 5th Dimension – Up, Up and Away
Photos by FayesVision/WENN.com, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Marekuliasz/Getty Images
They look really good, then and now. Wow. I can’t place any of their songs, but I do remember them.
???
The 5th Dimension was talent upon talent. ??
Fine looking couple.
Columbus Georgia seems like a popular place.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. are wonderful people and not at all “showbiz.” I had the pleasure of meeting them at a benefit concert a few years ago and they were warm and down-to-earth. And can still sing the house down. Legends of Black Excellence.
Loved 5th Dimension! Class act.
She looks 25 years her junior … #BlackBeauty
She looks beautiful, she and her husband make such a beautiful couple!
They look good together. I never knew she was in a group. I remember her from hosting Solid Gold. #Blacklove
Dang Marilyn! Still golden!
Married 49+ years. You don’t see that much nowadays. God bless ’em.
She’ll still turn heads!
Fancys parents from Jamie Foxx show
She looks fabulous!
“Children of the ’60s and ’70s remember Marilyn McCoo as the beautiful, sultry lead singer of Grammy-winning R&B/pop group 5th Dimension.”
Children of the 80s remember her from her stint as the host of Solid Gold. Sandra, I can’t believe you forgot to mention one of her best songs… If I Could Reach You… a song about the emotional perils of one night stands. ?
https://youtu.be/7RC3PKl9_FA
I used to watch Ed Sullivan re-runs, that’s how I knew her and my momma’s old LPs.
Now that’s a Beautiful couple!!!
Song, You don’t have to be a star baby, to be in my show.
I really only remember her from her time in the 5th Dimension. I never watched Solid Gold in the ’80s. Maybe I was in college. But that’s a beautiful song! Thanks for posting it. ? ?
RIIIIIIGHT OK. I remember that song.
Before my time but thank you for posting. Will definitely be looking up some more of her stuff.
Marlyn McCoo was so classy & elegant with a sultry voice to match.
Back in the 70’s, she used lived down the street from me in Altadena. 5th Dimension ?? Loves me some classic soul!!!
Shivers. SHIVERS!!
ooh! forgot about her.
my mom knew her – not best friends but knew each other’s names/faces. she’s taken care of herself……industry didn’t get this one!!
You don’t have to be a star, baby…to be in my show ?
She is beautiful!!!! Thanks auntie you are taking me down memory lane…
She is georgeous! And, I didn’t know Lamonte McLemore was a part of that group!
She’s still pretty. How do you do that at 75?
Nostalgic! Thanks 4 this awesome throwback.
Marilyn looks fabulous.Marilyn and Bill have their priorities right. They don’t hog the limelight and probably live as normal a life as possible.
Children are a blessing, but this is what 75 looks like when you DON’T have progeny to WORRY about. FOREVER YOUNG.
Still GORGEOUS AS EVER!!
I remember solid gold. Those were the good shows back then.
Darcel Wynne was everything!
https://youtu.be/-AHawqPTKbQ
Growing up when I was super little like toddler-pre-k age, I can remember my mom playing Up, up and Away & Wedding Bell Blues. Love those songs. And wow, the lead singer has aged to perfection.
Class untouched by crazy hollywierd!
Class ….pure Class!
Praise the Lord for that.
No scandals only pure Class
Auntie put all these videos up, she must be a die hard fan fr fr, nice sleeping relaxation misic if u ask me *shrugs*
She is still a beautiful lady and very talented. I remember hearing my parents play some of these great songs especially Will you Marry Me? Thanks for sharing these throwbacks Sandra and honouring this classy lady.
You are so right! Thanks for the memory!
Remember listening to their songs with my mother when I was little…I have let the sunshine in on my exercise play
Iist … she gorgeous!
Good genes, a good plastic surgeon or both. Whatever she’s doing, I want her to bottle it, so I can still give fever when I’m 75!
SHE IS SO STUNNING!!!!
Yes. I wish we had more shows like those.
So Beautiful!!!!
Still gorgeous!
Very pretty lady!!
They both have aged well. I always liked them as a couple.
I’m really old b/c I remember they had a variety tv show in the 70s or 80s too.
This woman is beautiful. Thanks for posting the songs.
Still so beautiful.
I remember her as the host of Solid Gold.