Marilyn McCoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marilyn McCoo |
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McCoo in 1995
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| Background information | |
| Born | September 30, 1943 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B, pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, presenter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | The 5th Dimension |
Marilyn McCoo (born September 30, 1943) is an American singer, actress, and TV host. She is famous for being the main female singer in the group The 5th Dimension. She also hosted the music TV show Solid Gold in the 1980s. Marilyn McCoo has a powerful singing voice that covers three octaves.
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Early Life and Education
Marilyn McCoo was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. Her parents, Waymon and Mary McCoo, were both doctors. Her grandfather, Thomas Vivian McCoo, was also a doctor. Marilyn spent her first seven years in Columbus, Georgia.
When she was seven, her family moved to Los Angeles. There, she started taking lessons in singing, piano, and dance. At age 15, she first appeared on TV on Art Linkletter's Talent Show. She also began working as a model. After finishing high school, she went to UCLA. She earned a degree in business. In 1962, McCoo won the "Miss Grand Talent" award in the Miss Bronze California beauty pageant.
Music Career
The 5th Dimension Years
In the early 1960s, Marilyn McCoo was part of a group called the Hi-Fi's. They often performed before Ray Charles's shows. A photographer named Lamonte McLemore invited her to join the group. He later joined McCoo in the 5th Dimension.
In 1966, she met Billy Davis Jr.. He formed a new group called the Versatiles, which later became the 5th Dimension. Other members included Ron Townson and Florence LaRue. The group's first big hit song was "Up, Up and Away" in 1967. This song won four Grammy Awards in 1968. It was also the title song for their first successful album.
In 1969, a mix of songs called "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" became a huge hit. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 music chart. This song also won the Grammy for 'Record of the Year'. Another song, "Wedding Bell Blues", also reached number one in 1969. By the early 1970s, McCoo sang lead on more of the group's hits. These included "One Less Bell to Answer" and "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All".
Solo and Duo Success
In 1975, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. left the 5th Dimension. They started performing as a singing pair. They signed with ABC Records and released their first album in 1976. It was called I Hope We Get to Love in Time.
As a duo, they had a big hit song called "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)". It reached number one in September 1976. McCoo and Davis won a Grammy Award for this song. They also became the first African American married couple to host a TV show. It was called The Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. Show on CBS in 1977.
After releasing three albums together, McCoo and Davis Jr. decided to try solo careers. Marilyn McCoo began hosting the popular music TV show Solid Gold. She hosted it from 1981 to 1984, and again from 1986 to 1988. She also performed in concerts and played a role on the TV show Days of Our Lives. She played Tamara Price from 1986 to 1987.
McCoo's 1991 album, The Me Nobody Knows, was nominated for a Grammy. She also released a Christmas album in 1996. She won her eighth Grammy Award for her work on Quincy Jones' Handel's Messiah. This award included her work with the 5th Dimension.
In 2021, McCoo and Davis released a new album called Blackbird Lennon-McCartney Icons. It was their first studio album in over 30 years. They said the album was about bringing people together. Questlove called McCoo and Davis "the first couple of Pop and Soul". They also appeared in Questlove's movie, Summer of Soul.
Acting Roles
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Marilyn McCoo has acted in several movies. These include Grizzly Adams and the Legend of Dark Mountain (1999) and My Mom's a Werewolf (1989). She has also been in many TV movies. On stage, she has performed in plays like Anything Goes and Show Boat. She and Billy Davis Jr. also appeared on The Jamie Foxx Show. They played Fancy's parents, the Monroes.
Personal Life
Marilyn McCoo is married to Billy Davis Jr., who was also in the 5th Dimension. They got married on July 26, 1969. In 2019, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple wrote a book in 2004 called Up, Up and Away. It shared their story of love and faith. They still perform together across the country. McCoo is a member of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority. She also has a strong Christian faith.
Film and TV Appearances
Features
- My Mom's a Werewolf (1989)
- Grizzly Adams and the Legend of Dark Mountain (1999)
- Summer of Soul (2021)
Television
- It Takes a Thief (1970)
- The Love Boat (1978)
- Solid Gold (host, 1981–1984, 1986–1988)
- The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins (1984)
- New Love, American Style (1986)
- The Fall Guy (1986)
- Days of Our Lives (1986–1987, 2019–2020)
- Punky Brewster (1988)
- Night Court (1990)
- The Kingdom Chums Original Top Ten (voice, 1990)
- The New Adventures of Captain Planet (voice, 1993)
- Women of the House (1995)
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1999–2001)
