The three men - Billy Davis, Jr., Ron Townson and Lamonte McLemore grew up together in St. Louis, Missouri, each going in separate directions in their teens; all ended up in Los Angeles with hopes of making the big time.

Billy, in several gospel and soul groups, studied at Washington Tech. He opened his own nightclub, eventually ending up in Los Angeles, hoping to sign with Motown's West Coast recording company. Lamonte went into professional baseball as well as photography only to discover his love for singing while in the Navy. Ron sang opera from an early age. He graduated from Lincoln University, and left for Los Angeles with aspirations in singing.

Lamonte McLemore met beauty contestant winner Marilyn McCoo while photographing her during the Miss Bronze Talent Award. Marilyn was born in New Jersey and grew up in Los Angeles. She always had a desire to go into the entertainment business, but her parents wanted her to finish school. She graduated from UCLA and accepted Lamonte's offer to join the group he was forming.

With Billy experienced in gospel and rhythm and blues, Ron opera and Lamonte jazz, Marilyn jazz and pop, they needed another female member to complete their well-rounded vocal sound.

In 1965, the quintet, with their varied vocal backgrounds, named their group The Versatiles . They put together a demo tape and sent Lamonte to Detroit to see Berry Gordy at Motown Records. Gordy listened to the demo tape and was impressed with their sound but didn't hear chart hits with the songs. He asked McLemore to return with more songs for him to hear.

They recorded You're Good Enough For Me /Bye Bye Baby, both co-written by Marc Gordon on the Bronco label. It wasn't until Gordon introduced the group to Johnny Rivers, who was starting Soul City Records, that something exciting was about to happen in music.

Since then the 5 th Dimension has been featured from Billboard to Broadway with hit after hit.

In 1991 The Original 5th Dimension received a Star on Hollywood's Walk Of Fame which is located at the famed Roosevelt Hotel across from Mann's Chinese Theater.

The 5th Dimension consists of Florence LaRue , Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson , Greg Walker and Phyllis Battle. Early in 1998, Willie Williams joined The 5th Dimension. They are performing with symphonies, on luxury cruises and all over the world to satisfy their many fans. Their career seems to always be Up Up & Away.