12/06/2025
Another great day of great finds for albums. The 5th Dimension is a favorite of mine in the older soul genre. This record features the 5 original founding member of the group. The 5th Dimension was originally called The Versatiles. I used to think the group was from Ohio (I don’t remember wha put that in my head). The group is originally from LA. Formed, officially as The 5th Dimension in 1966. The group had 20 hits in the top 40. The were so popular in their prime they were invited and played at the white house twice. Although the group was very successful and popular,visiting the white house during the height of the civil rights movement, changes going on in America, and the height of the Viet Nam war brought the group a lot of backlash.
Barry Gordy of Motown passed on signing the group in 1965, Lamonte McLemore went back to LA and with help from Ron Townson and his wife came up with the new name and created the new group The 5th dimension. They were so popular that they appeared on the Ed Sullivan show several times, an in Ed’s last season he dedicated an entire episode to the group in 1971 called “the 5th anniversary of The 5th dimension “. The group, albeit with new members but with original founder Florence LaRue have toured on and off as late as 2017.
The name of this group was the inspiration for my idea to open a family entertainment center. I would have called it “The 5th dimension” for 5 dimensions of fun for everyone. If you give this group a listen i bet you’ll hear songs you know amd love, but maybe forgot about.
My Dad introduced me to comedy records. There is something generational and nostalgic about listening to comedy performed on a record. Bill Cosby, forgetting the controversy, in his earlier years was an excellent comedian. I was asked to see these. I should have picked up the Jonathon Winters and Flip Wilson records.