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MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS
 It would be easy for Marilyn McCoo and Bill Davis Jr,. to mope around and be frustrated about their career. But they aren’t and they don’t.
In fact, the couple who have been performing together since 1965 and married for 39 years “made peace with those feelings a long time ago.”
In a three-way telephone call with VegasScene from their Los Angeles home, the couple said that “times and tastes have changed and there’s little one can do about it. Yes, you reinvent yourself, but people expect certain things from you and why not give it to them.
“That’s what got you on top the first time, so why won’t it continue to work,” said Davis. “We had an identity and realized that we should utilize it.”
The pair, who will be headlining at the Suncoast Aug. 29-31, will be giving the audiences what they want to hear…a retrospective of their career. Music associated with Marilyn & Billy as members of The 5th Dimension and as a duet.
“The audience expects certain things from us and we give it to them with
pleasure,” notes Marilyn. “It’s a celebration of our lives from the beginning to our newest CD, ‘The Many Faces of Love.’”
Seven time Grammy winners, the interactive CD took four years to put together and are a collection of meaningful love songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s. The CD features include videos, interviews, bonus songs, rare photos and more, all accessible though a computer and internet connection.
Their first duo album in a number of years, the pair served as executive producers of the CD. All the songs were written by top songwriters of the era with the cover photographer by long-time friend and 5th Dimension member Lamonte McLemore.
“The album is not just about the first blush of love, but also about the challenges and difficulties experienced in attaining lasting love that we were seeking in the songs we chose,” said McCoo.
“We hope through this project to encourage people to honor their commitment to each other. To not give up when the going gets rough. Every life relationship faces difficulties, but the beauty and reward is when you’ve worked through them together,” adds Davis.”
McCoo and Davis perform many duets on “The Many Faces of Love, along with some riveting solos by each. The song choices deal with love’s emotions and contentment, anger, joy and sadness that are all aspects of an evolving and sustaining relationship.
“It’s almost like our 39 years of marriage put to music,” says McCoo. “What we went through to sustain our togetherness is described in the songs.”
Songs, such as their duet on Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You” and McCoo’s solo on “This Girl’s in Love” speak to the wonderful inspirations o new love.
Davis’ heartbreaking solos on “When A Man Loves A Woman and “Try A Little Tenderness” as well as McCoo’s solo remake of her 5th Dimension hit “Never My Love” consider the sorrow and anguish that is often part of love.
The CD is available on their Web site, wwwmccooanddavisjr.com.
McCoo and Davis are also authors. They wrote a book entitled “Up, Up and Away…How We Found Love, Faith and Lasting Marriage in the Entertainment World.” It was written in collaboration with Mike Yorkey and in it they talk about how they met; their successful musical careers and their major struggles behind closed doors, offering practical marriage advice and spiritual encouragement along the way.
As lead vocalists of one of the top singing groups of the late 60’s and early 70’s, The 5th Dimension, they recorded such classics as “Up, Up & Away,” “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell To Answer” and “Stoned Soul Picnic” to name a few.
All will be heard in medley form or full length at the Suncoast.
Following a decade with The 5th Dimension, McCoo and Davis departed the group and established them as a duo. They had immediate success with the single, “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).” It hit the top of the charts and earned them a Grammy for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group.
That success peaked network interest and CBS-TV premiered “The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Show” as a prime-time summer series in 1977. They entered the 80’s as an international success. They headlined in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City to SRO crowds in concerts across the country and won the prestigious Grand Prize at the international Tokyo Music Festival.
In addition to the success they’ve had together, McCoo and Davis have also enjoyed solo pursuits.
McCoo hosted the popular 1980’s television music series, “Solid Gold,” for five years and Davis had the chance to realize a lifelong dream to record a religious album with Rev. James Cleveland. He also began to explore theatrical opportunities, starring in the hit musical “Blues in the Night” at the prestigious Old Globe Theatre in San Diego and in the role of James “Thunder” Early in a regional production of “Dreamgirls.”
“We’ve been very fortunate,” adds McCoo. “We’ve been blessed with good health, a hearty appetite and are chops are still in good shape.”
“Amen,” noted Davis.
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