MARILYN McCOO & BILLY DAVIS JR. BIOGRAPHY
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. have enjoyed tremendous success through the yearsas recording artists, performers and authors. They have received 7 Grammy Awardsand earned 15 gold and 3 platinum records, and enjoyed starring roles on television andstage. They have performed to sold-out concerts around the world. They are currentlycelebrating 40 years in the entertainment business with a musical tribute to the hits andproductions that have made up their multi-faceted careers.
The husband and wife team celebrate 38 years of marriage in 2007. In 2004 the couplewrote a book, which shares their secrets of staying happy and committed to each otherin Hollywood. It’s entitledUp, Up and Away…How We Found Love, Faith and Lasting Marriage in the Entertainment World. It was written in collaboration with Mike Yorkeyand was released by Northfield Publishing Company. In it, they talk about how theymet, 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 5thDimension, they recorded such classics as “Up, Up & Away,” “Aquarius/Let TheSunshine In,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell To Answer” and “Stoned Soul Picnic” to name a few.
After a decade with The 5th Dimension, Billy & Marilyn decided to leave the group andestablish themselves as a duo. They had immediate success with the single, “You Don’tHave To Be A Star (To Be In My Show).” It was a #1 hit 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 &Billy Davis Jr. Show” as a prime-time summer series in 1977. Marilyn & Billy enteredthe 80’s as an international success. They headlined in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe andAtlantic City, played to SRO crowds in concerts across the country and won the prestigious Grand Prize at the international Tokyo Music Festival. Back home, they were sought-after guests for every major television show.
In addition to the success they’ve had together, Marilyn & Billy have also enjoyed solopursuits. McCoo hosted the popular 1980’s television music series, “Solid Gold,” for 5 years and Davis had the chance to realize a lifelong dream to record a religious album with gospel great, the Rev. James Cleveland, entitled, Let Me Have a Dream. He alsobegan to explore theatrical opportunities, starring in the hit musical, Blues In The Night,at the prestigious Old Globe Theatre and in the role of James “Thunder” Early in aregional production of Dreamgirls.
Over the years, the talents of McCoo & Davis have been requested for important eventson a national and global level. They were invited to perform for the Pontiff during the1987 U.S. visit of Pope John Paul II, and have participated in inaugural celebrations forpresidents of the United States.
In the early 90’s, Billy & Marilyn joined the original members of The 5th Dimension for aspecial reunion tour, and in August 1991, the group was honored with a star onHollywood’s Walk of Fame. In 1997, Arista Records released an anthology CD of thegroup’s hit releases entitledUp, Up & Away: The Definitive Collection. Also in the 90’s,Marilyn fulfilled one of her lifelong ambitions by appearing on Broadway in the revivalof the musicalShow Boat, starring in the role of Julie.
Beginning in the late ‘90’s, the couple starred in a musical celebration of the great duetsof the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s called,It Takes Two. They also participated in a special production for Duke Ellington’s Centennial, the highly acclaimed, Hit Me With A Hot Note: The Duke Ellington Songbook, which also toured the country.
Billy & Marilyn continue to maintain a demanding schedule between performing inconcerts, churches and speaking. They had recurring roles on the popular TV series,“The Jamie Foxx Show,” on WB, playing the affluent parents of Jamie’s girlfriend. With the release of their book, they have also begun speaking at marriage seminars, sharingtheir wealth of knowledge and experiences.
Billy is very excited about what they’re doing: “This is the most fulfilling time in ourlives. Not only do we share our talents with our audiences through our music; we’realso providing them with wisdom that we’ve acquired through the years to help themin their struggles and give them hope.”
