Marilyn McCoo

Marilyn McCoo born September 30 1943 is an American singer actress and television presenter who is best known for being the lead female vocalist in the group the 5th Dimension as well as hosting the 1980s music television show Solid Gold Since 1969 McCoo has been married to singer Billy Davis Jr the founder and a comember of the 5th Dimension She has a threeoctave vocal range Marilyn McCoo was born in Jersey City New Jersey United States to Waymon and Mary McCoo who were both physicians Her grandfather was doctor Thomas Vivian McCoo of Eufaula Alabama She is African American She spent her first seven years in Columbus Georgia At the age of seven she moved with her parents two sisters and brother to Los Angeles where she began singing piano and dance lessons At the age of 15 she made her television debut on Art Linkletters Talent Show and began modelling After graduating from Susan Miller Dorsey High School she enrolled in UCLA where she earned a degree in business administration In 1962 McCoo entered the Miss Bronze California beauty pageant where she won Miss Grand Talent In the early and mid1960s McCoo was a member of the HiFis who often opened for Ray Charles She had been invited to join the group by photographer Lamonte McLemore who would himself join McCoo in the 5th Dimension Other HiFi members included Harry Elston and Floyd Butler who later formed the Friends of Distinction She met Billy Davis Jr in 1966 when he established the 5th Dimension then called the Versatiles which also included Ron Townson and Florence LaRue The groups first big hit was with 1967s Up Up and Away written by Jimmy Webb The song won four 1968 Grammy Awards and was the title track to 5th Dimensions first hit LP A year later the group recorded Laura Nyros Stoned Soul Picnic A medley of AquariusLet the Sunshine In from the musical Hair reached No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April to May 1969 and won the Grammy for Record of the Year The groups recording of another Nyro composition Wedding Bell Blues topped the Hot 100 in November 1969 McCoo performing at Eastern Michigan University By the early 1970s McCoo began to sing lead on the groups remaining hits One Less Bell to Answer Last Night I Didnt Get to Sleep at All and If I Could Reach You Source Article Marilyn McCoo from Wikipedia in English licensed under CCBYSA 30