On April 14th, Florence LaRue and her legendary band, The 5th Dimension, will light up the night and let the sunshine in at the iconic Saban Theatre, illuminating Beverly Hills.
By John Lavitt
Beverly Hills, CA (The Hollywood Times) 04-04-2023
It all started in 1967 when “Up, Up and Away” hit the airwaves and catapulted a little-known group to instant stardom. Since that first song inspired the country, The 5th Dimension has made over 25 million in sales with 22 Top 40 hits and an impressive five No.1 songs. With countless magazine covers, scores of world tours, and six Grammy Awards, the group is universally recognized as one of musical history’s most successful performing acts. After another smashing tour across the country, the band returns to Los Angeles to celebrate at home with a show at the Saban Theatre on April 14th.
As the lead singer and the band’s only founding member left on the roster, Florence LaRue is brimming with joy and energy. She explains to The Hollywood Times, “I am so excited to perform at the Saban Theatre. The 5th Dimension often performs on the East Coast. It is so wonderful to be able to perform here for our families and friends. We are so excited to let the sunshine in for our community and all the people we love.”
Do you remember the five No.1 songs of The 5th Dimension? Beyond “Up, Up and Away,” they include “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep At All,” and the iconic “Aquarius/ Let the Sunshine In”. On countless occasions, from Radio City Music Hall alongside Frank Sinatra to the Hollywood Bowl, they have headlined the greatest venues nationwide.
For this show, however, they are so excited to bring their audience indoors to the Saban Theatre, which feels like the Radio City Music Hall of Los Angeles. With 14 gold and 3 platinum records, the group has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
While remaining true to its original, five-part harmonic sound, The 5th Dimension is versatile and inclusive. Thus, the band attracts audiences of all ages and nationalities. Within the last decade, The 5th Dimension has entertained at the White House while also performing for families at Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida. Indeed, the group has a universal and diverse appeal that is perfect for everyone from young kids to senior citizens and all ages in between.
As an integral part of The 5th Dimension on many levels, Miles Robinson illuminates the lasting power of the group: “Champagne Soul: That moniker describes the class, elegance, and blend of harmonies that are the embodiment of unity, love, and collective liberation that the 5th Dimension offered the world from the 1960s until the present day. Being a part of this legacy as the drummer, manager, and producer has been a privilege. I am moved every time I watch people, young and old, come to their feet, dance, and sing to “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” which undoubtedly is one of the most notable anthems of peace.”
At the same time, beyond performing, the band always has had a spiritual side emphasizing giving back. Founder Florence LaRue is proud of her President’s Volunteer Service Award from the White House “in recognition of commitment for making a difference through volunteer service.” From the beginning and to this day, she has championed the cause of giving back. Indeed, the tremendous success of the band became an opportunity to do good in her community and beyond.
Such a powerful ethic remains in place to this day. As Florence LaRue tells The Hollywood Times, “Despite some of the negativity going on in the world, there are many good people out there doing uplifting and positive things. We want to inspire our audience and let them know that joy and hope can still be brought into their lives.”
If you want to return to the Age of Aquarius and let the sunshine in to illuminate your life, tickets are still available at Where Music Meets the Soul. Indeed, it will be a night to remember as people come together to celebrate music, love, diversity, and freedom. If you want to see the miracle of the sun shining indoors, come to the Saban Theatre on April 14th.
Photos by The 5th Dimension
