By Mark Ambrogi
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. first burst on the scene as lead singers of the 5th Dimension in 1966.
After leaving the group in 1975, the married couple performed as a duo and had their own TV show.
However, they began to pursue solo careers in the 1980s. McCoo was the host of “Solid Gold” and did some acting. Davis recorded a Gospel album with the Rev. James Cleveland and did some theatrical performances.
“We still performed together from time to time, but in the beginning of the ’90s we did a reunion tour with the 5th Dimension,” McCoo said. “We did a tour and we did some private corporate shows.”
While McCoo was touring with the play “Show Boat” in 1996, she said they both realized they were spending too much time apart.
“It gave us time to ask what was most important to us, having the individual careers or having the relationship we have,” McCoo said. “We realized that we really enjoyed performing together.”
The couple, who celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary this year, will perform along with the Next Dimension in Up, Up and Away at 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at the Palladium in Carmel. “Up, Up and Away” is a name of a 5th Dimension song and the 2004 book McCoo and Davis wrote about their love and faith.
“In our performance we are doing in Indiana we actually talk about the moment we realize all these individual wonderful things we were doing were fun, but we were happiest when we were together,” McCoo said. “It’s like a musical theatrical production we are doing.”
Davis said the show is essentially the story of their lives.
The performance is filled with songs from the 5th Dimension, such as “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “One Less Bell to Answer” and “Wedding Bell Blues.” The performance will also include several Beatles songs.
“We’re able to sing the sounds of the music that people really remember,” McCoo said. “It was an interesting idea that came from Nick Mendoza, who was a fan of ours and the (5th Dimension). He’s young but his parents used to play our music. He came up with this idea as a wonderful way to introduce Billy and me to the younger audiences out there that would really connect them with our music and our story.”
Davis, 78, and McCoo, 72, have no plans to slow down.
“We still have the passion for it,” Davis said.
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
