Marilyn McCoo

Last updated
Marilyn McCoo
Marilyn McCoo 1996.jpg
McCoo in 1995
Background information
Born (1943-09-30) September 30, 1943 (age 81)
Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres R&B, pop
Occupation(s)Singer, actress, presenter
InstrumentVocals
Years active1966–present
Labels
Spouse
​
(m. 1969)​
Website www.mccoodavis.com

Marilyn McCoo (born September 30, 1943) [1] 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 .

Contents

She has a three-octave vocal range.

Early life and education

Marilyn McCoo was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States, [1] to Waymon and Mary (née Holloway [2] ) McCoo, who were both physicians. Her grandfather was doctor Thomas Vivian McCoo of Eufaula, Alabama. [3] She is African American. [4] She spent her first seven years in Columbus, Georgia. [5] At the age of seven, she moved with her parents, two sisters, and brother to Los Angeles, where she began voice, piano and dance lessons. At the age of 15, she made her television debut on Art Linkletter's Talent Show [6] 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". [7]

Career

Music

In the early and mid-1960s, McCoo was a member of the Hi-Fi's, 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 Hi-Fi 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 group's first big hit was with 1967's "Up, Up and Away", written by Jimmy Webb. The song won four 1968 Grammy Awards [8] and was the title track to 5th Dimension's first hit LP. A year later, the group recorded Laura Nyro's "Stoned Soul Picnic". A medley of "Aquarius/Let 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'. [8] The group's recording of another Nyro composition, "Wedding Bell Blues", topped the Hot 100 in November 1969.

McCoo performing at Eastern Michigan University MarilynMcCoo crop.jpg
McCoo performing at Eastern Michigan University

By the early 1970s, McCoo began to sing lead on the group's remaining hits, "One Less Bell to Answer", "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All", and "If I Could Reach You".

In 1975, McCoo and Davis left the 5th Dimension and began performing as a duo. Landing a contract with ABC Records, they recorded their 1976 debut album, I Hope We Get to Love in Time . As a duo, McCoo and Davis were not as successful as the 5th Dimension; however, their first album did score two major hits and three overall singles: "I Hope We Get To Love In Time" (#91, March 1978), "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)" (#1, September 1976), and "Your Love" (#15, March 1977). McCoo and Davis won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "You Don't Have to Be a Star". [8] The song peaked at number 21 in Australia. [9] They became the first African American married couple to host a network television series, The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show, on CBS in summer 1977. The duo released their next album on ABC in 1977, titled The Two Of Us. The album spawned the single "Look What You've Done To My Heart" (#51, August 1977). The pair signed with CBS Records and released their next album, 1978's Marilyn + Billy, although it did not include any Hot 100 hits. This would be the duo's last album until thirty years later; in October 2008 the pair released The Many Faces of Love, a collection of hit songs from the 1960s and 1970s.

After breaking from the 5th Dimension to perform as a duo and subsequently releasing three albums, McCoo and Davis Jr. next decided to go solo professionally in the early 1980s. McCoo began hosting the popular American music television show Solid Gold from 1981 to 1984 and returned from 1986 to 1988. She also embarked on a nightclub and concert act and went on to play the role of Tamara Price on the soap opera Days of Our Lives in 1986, as a friend of the character Marlena Evans. Price later became involved with James Reynolds' character Abe Carver. McCoo left the series in 1987.

McCoo's 1991 album, The Me Nobody Knows, was nominated for a Grammy. [8] She also released a Christmas album in 1996. McCoo won her eighth Grammy (which also included work with the 5th Dimension) for her contributions to Quincy Jones' Handel's Messiah.[ citation needed ]

In 2021, McCoo and Davis released Blackbird Lennon-McCartney Icons , their first studio album in over 30 years. Entrepreneur Kathy Ireland released the album through her record label EE1. [10] The duo said it was a civil rights movement which became a human rights movement with a goal to encourage people to come together during trying times. [11] During an interview about the album on June 29, 2021, Questlove called McCoo and Davis "the first couple of Pop and Soul". They would later appear in Quest's directorial debut, Summer of Soul. [12]

Acting

McCoo with singer Stacey Robinson Opera star Stacey Robinson (left) with singer-actor Marilyn McCoo.jpg
McCoo with singer Stacey Robinson

McCoo has acted in a number of movies, including Grizzly Adams and the Legend of Dark Mountain (1999), My Mom's a Werewolf (1989) and several television movies, often playing herself. She has appeared on stage in productions of Anything Goes , A...My Name is Alice , Man of La Mancha , and the Broadway production of Show Boat in 1995 through 1996. McCoo appeared together with Davis on The Jamie Foxx Show as Fancy's parents, the Monroes. McCoo also guest-starred on a Canadian game show in the 1990s, called Acting Crazy.

Personal life

McCoo is married to fellow 5th Dimension bandmate Billy Davis Jr. On July 26, 2019, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. [13] The couple shared their story of love and faith in the 2004 book, Up, Up and Away. [14] They continue to perform together in venues around the country. McCoo is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. [15] She is an emerita member of the board of directors of the Los Angeles Mission. [16] McCoo and Davis are born-again Christians. [17]

Selected filmography

Features

Television

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 5th Dimension</span> American popular music vocal group

The 5th Dimension is an American vocal group. Their music encompasses sunshine pop, pop soul, and psychedelic soul.

<i>Earthbound</i> (The 5th Dimension album) 1975 studio album by the 5th Dimension

Earthbound is the twelfth album by American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1975 by ABC Records. It is the last album for the group's original line-up of Billy Davis Jr., Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Lamonte McLemore and Ron Townson. After touring with the 5th Dimension in support of this album, Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo left the group to work as a duo and as solo artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Nyro</span> American singer and songwriter (1947–1997)

Laura Nyro was an American songwriter and singer. She achieved critical acclaim with her own recordings, particularly the albums Eli and the Thirteenth Confession (1968) and New York Tendaberry (1969), and had commercial success with artists such as Barbra Streisand and the 5th Dimension recording her songs. Wider recognition for her artistry was posthumous, while her contemporaries such as Elton John idolized her. She was praised for her emotive three-octave mezzo-soprano voice.

<i>The Age of Aquarius</i> (album) 1969 studio album by the 5th Dimension

The Age of Aquarius is the fourth album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1969. It was their biggest commercial success in the United States, peaking at number two on the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B Albums charts.

<i>Up, Up and Away</i> (The 5th Dimension album) 1967 studio album by the 5th Dimension

Up – Up and Away is the debut album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1967. The title track was released as a single and became a major pop hit.

<i>Portrait</i> (The 5th Dimension album) 1970 studio album by the 5th Dimension

Portrait is the fifth album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1970. This is the group's first album for Bell Records, having switched from the Soul City Records label. The cover features an impressionistic portrait by famous artist LeRoy Neiman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Wilson (musician)</span> American singer-songwriter (1940–2012)

Frank Edward Wilson was an American songwriter, singer, and record producer for Motown Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In</span> 1969 single by the 5th Dimension

"Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In " is a medley of two songs written for the 1967 musical Hair by James Rado and Gerome Ragni (lyrics), and Galt MacDermot (music), released as a single by American R&B group the 5th Dimension. The song spent six weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in the spring of 1969 and was eventually certified platinum in the US by the RIAA. Instrumental backing was written by Bill Holman and provided by a group of session musicians commonly known as "the Wrecking Crew".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saving All My Love for You</span> 1985 single by Whitney Houston

"Saving All My Love for You" is a song written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin, originally recorded by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. for their album Marilyn & Billy (1978). American singer Whitney Houston recorded it for her self-titled debut studio album (1985). It was released on August 13, 1985, by Arista Records, as the second single from the album in the United States, and third worldwide.

<i>Loves Lines, Angles and Rhymes</i> 1971 studio album by the 5th Dimension

Love's Lines, Angles and Rhymes is the sixth album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1971. The title song had been recorded originally by Diana Ross the previous year. It reached #17 on Billboard's Top 200 Album Chart and became the band's third consecutive album to be certified Gold.

<i>Reflections</i> (The 5th Dimension album) 1971 compilation album by the 5th Dimension

Reflections is a compilation album by the American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1971. It contains songs from while the band was recording for Soul City Records. It includes four songs that were originally released as A-side singles, although only one was a Top 20 hit. Bell Records released Greatest Hits on Earth the following year, which would include The 5th Dimension's biggest hits from both current label Bell Records and prior label Soul City Records.

"California Soul" is a funk-soul tune written by Ashford & Simpson, issued originally as the B-side of the Messengers' single "Window Shopping" in 1967 under the Motown group of labels.

"Wedding Bell Blues" is a song written and recorded by Laura Nyro in 1966. The best known version was a number one hit for the 5th Dimension in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Davis Jr.</span> American singer

Billy Davis Jr. is an American singer and musician, best known as a member of the 5th Dimension. Along with his wife Marilyn McCoo, he had hit records during 1976 and 1977 with "I Hope We Get to Love in Time", "Your Love", and "You Don't Have to Be a Star ". Davis and McCoo were married in 1969. They became the first African-American married couple to host a network television series, titled The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show, on CBS in the summer of 1977, the year "You Don't Have to Be a Star " won a Grammy Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)</span> 1976 single by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr

"You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)" is a song written by James Dean and John Glover and popularized by the husband/wife duo of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., former members of the vocal group The 5th Dimension. Released from their album, I Hope We Get to Love in Time, it became a crossover success, spending six months on the charts and soaring to No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Soul Singles charts during late 1976 and early 1977. It also reached No. 6 on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. It would eventually be certified gold, selling over one million copies, and winning the couple a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoned Soul Picnic (song)</span> 1968 single by The 5th Dimension

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florence LaRue</span> American actress and singer (born 1942)

Florence LaRue is an American singer and actress, best known as an original member of the 5th Dimension.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Love (Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. song)</span> 1977 single by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

"Your Love" is a song by the husband/wife duo of Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., former members of the vocal group The 5th Dimension. Released from their album, I Hope We Get to Love in Time, it was the follow-up to their number-one hit, "You Don't Have to Be a Star ".

<i>Individually & Collectively</i> 1972 studio album by the 5th Dimension

Individually and Collectively is the seventh album of original material by American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1972. The album peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart on June 24, 1972. This album includes both of the group's final top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart — "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All" and "If I Could Reach You". Both feature lead vocals by Marilyn McCoo.

<i>Blackbird Lennon-McCartney Icons</i> 2021 studio album by Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.

Blackbird Lennon-McCartney Icons is a studio album by American singers Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., released on April 30, 2021. It was their first album under business mogul Kathy Ireland's new record label EE1 in partnership with international music company BMG. Davis credits Ireland and producer Nic Mendoza for bringing the project to life. The duo also felt encouraged to get in a studio due to concerns in the country and similar divisions experienced in the 60s. The duo said it was a civil rights movement which became a human rights movement with a goal to encourage people to come together during trying times.

References

  1. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 1553/4. ISBN   0-85112-939-0.
  2. ↑ "FamilySearch "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950" : Tue Mar 05 05:18:19 UTC 2024, Entry for W G McCoo and T V Mccoo, 16 Sep 1937".
  3. ↑ Smith, Joel P. (September 27, 2011). Candid Comments: Selected Columns from the Eufaula Tribune, 1958-2006. NewSouth Books. p. 223. ISBN   9781603060684 . Retrieved September 27, 2021– via Google Books.
  4. ↑ "Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Launch Silly Love Songs on EE1 / BMG Celebrates Black History Month". AP NEWS. 2021-02-13. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  5. ↑ "Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. Interview on Soul Train 10 23 76" on YouTube
  6. ↑ Moses, Ann (February 14, 1970). "Love Keeps Us 5th Dimensions Together says Marilyn" . New Musical Express . Retrieved April 25, 2019– via Rock's Backpages.
  7. ↑ Davis, Belva (2012). Never in My Wildest Dreams: A Black Woman's Life in Journalism. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. p. 80. ISBN   978-1609944667.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Marilyn McCoo's GRAMMY Awards history". grammy.com. November 23, 2020. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 184. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  10. ↑ Baltin, Steve. "Sunday Conversation: Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis Jr Return To The Studio After 30 Years With Beatles Tribute Album". Forbes. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  11. ↑ Baltin, Steve (May 2, 2021). "Sunday Conversation: Marilyn McCoo And Billy Davis Jr Return To The Studio After 30 Years With Beatles Tribute Album". Forbes. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis - Questlove Supreme".
  13. ↑ "Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Celebrate Their 40th Wedding Anniversary July 26 – "Faith and Friendship Keep Us Together"". Newmusicreviews.net. Billboard Publicity Wire. July 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  14. ↑ McCoo, Marilyn; Davis, Billy Jr.; Yorkey, Mike (2004). Up, Up and Away: How We Found Love, Faith, and a Lasting Marriage in the Entertainment World. Northfield Publishing. ISBN   9781881273172 . Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  15. ↑ D.L. Chandler (November 14, 2019). "Little Known Black History Fact: Sigma Gamma Rho". blackamericaweb.com. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Los Angeles Mission: Board of Directors, Emeritus". losangelesmission.org. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  17. ↑ Blim, Julie; Ross, Scott. "Billy Davis, Jr., and Marilyn McCoo: Still in Love". The 700 Club . Retrieved May 24, 2014.
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