Marilyn McCoo

Marilyn McCoo, born on September 30, 1943, is a prominent American singer, actress, and television host, renowned for her role as the primary female vocalist of the musical group the 5th Dimension and for her work as a host on the 1980s music television program Solid Gold.

Since 1969, she has shared her life with fellow musician Billy Davis Jr., who co-founded the 5th Dimension. McCoo is celebrated for her impressive three-octave vocal range.

Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, she is the daughter of physicians Waymon and Mary McCoo, and her grandfather was Thomas Vivian McCoo, a doctor from Eufaula, Alabama. McCoo identifies as African American and spent her early childhood in Columbus, Georgia. At the age of seven, she relocated with her family to Los Angeles, where she began taking singing, piano, and dance lessons. Her television career began at 15 with an appearance on Art Linkletter's Talent Show, and she also ventured into modeling. After graduating from Susan Miller Dorsey High School, she attended UCLA, earning a degree in business administration. In 1962, she was crowned "Miss Grand Talent" in the Miss Bronze California pageant.

In the early to mid-1960s, McCoo performed with the Hi-Fi's, who frequently opened for Ray Charles. She was invited to join the group by photographer Lamonte McLemore, who also later became a member of the 5th Dimension. McCoo met Davis in 1966 when he formed the group, initially known as the Versatiles. Their first major success came in 1967 with “Up, Up and Away,” written by Jimmy Webb, which earned four Grammy Awards in 1968. The group continued to achieve chart-topping success with hits like "Stoned Soul Picnic," "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," and "Wedding