Billy Davis Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Billy Davis Jr.
Davis Jr. in 1977
Background information
Born	(1938-06-26) June 26, 1938 (age 87)
Origin	St. Louis, Missouri, US
Genres	R&B pop soul sunshine pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician
Years active	1950s–present
Labels	ABC CBS
Associated acts	The 5th Dimension

Billy Davis Jr. (born June 26, 1938) is an American singer and musician. He is famous for being a member of the popular music group the 5th Dimension. He also had a successful career with his wife, Marilyn McCoo.

Together, Davis and McCoo recorded hit songs in 1976 and 1977. These included "I Hope We Get to Love in Time" and "Your Love". Their most famous song was "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". This song won a Grammy Award, a top prize in music.

Davis and McCoo married in 1969. In 1977, they became the first African-American married couple to host their own TV show, called The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show.

Music Career

The 5th Dimension

In 1966, Billy Davis Jr. joined a music group called The Versatiles. The group soon changed its name to The 5th Dimension. Their first big hit was "Up, Up and Away" in 1967. The song was a huge success and won four Grammy Awards in 1968.

A year later, the group recorded the song "... Soul Picnic". They also recorded a mix of two songs from the musical Hair: "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In". This song became a No. 1 hit in the United States in 1969. It also won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

A Duo with Marilyn McCoo

Davis performing in 1970

In 1975, Davis and McCoo left The 5th Dimension to perform as a duo. They signed with ABC Records and released their first album, I Hope We Get to Love in Time, in 1976.

Their song "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)" was a massive hit. It reached No. 1 on the US music charts in 1977. The song and their album both sold so many copies that they earned gold awards.

Davis and McCoo also appeared on TV shows like Captain and Tennille and The Love Boat. One of their albums included the song "Saving All My Love for You". Years later, singer Whitney Houston made that song a worldwide hit.

Later Work and Recognition

In the 1990s, Davis and McCoo acted on the TV show Jamie Foxx Show. They played the wealthy parents of the main character's girlfriend.

In 2020, the duo released a new album called Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons. It was their first album in 30 years. They recorded it to bring people together during difficult times. The famous musician Questlove called them "the first couple of Pop and Soul."

Davis and McCoo were also featured in the 2021 documentary Summer of Soul. The film was about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, where they had performed. They also appeared in the TV movies "The Waltons: Homecoming" (2021) and "A Waltons Thanksgiving" (2022).

Personal Life

Billy Davis Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He and Marilyn McCoo have been married since July 26, 1969. In 1999, Davis was diagnosed with a serious illness, prostate cancer, which he successfully overcame.

Discography

with Marilyn McCoo

Albums

Singles