Pops concert features The 5th Dimension
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Reminder Publications submitted photo
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SPRINGFIELD Springfield Symphony Orchestra Maestro Kevin Rhodes can't wait to go "up, up and away" with seven-time Grammy winners The 5th Dimension at March 25 Pops concert at 8 p.m. in Symphony Hall.
Rhodes will lead the Pops and welcome, as guest artists, the ageless singing ensemble who recorded "Up, Up and Away" in 1967 that became one of the biggest hits in popular music history.
"The 5th Dimension are one of the most recognizable singing groups in the world and the orchestra and I are looking forward to sharing their energy onstage," Rhodes said.
Their classic hits include, "Go Where You Wanna Go," "This Is Your Life," "Wedding Bell Blues," "Stoned Soul Picnic," "One Less Bell to Answer," and the baby boom generation's anthem, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" from the legendary Broadway show "Hair."
Florence LaRue, who help found the group remembers: "In 1969 the musical 'Hair' was on Broadway. It was interesting how we ended up recording 'Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In'
"It was a real fluke. We were performing in New York City and Billy Davis Jr. (an original member) lost his wallet in a taxi. The man who returned it said he had written some music for a play and he invited us to see it. The play of course was 'Hair.' Well we heard 'Aquarius' and we all just looked at each other and said 'We've got to sing this song. It's great.' "
Their producer suggested splicing "Aquarius" together with lyrics from another number in the musical, which became "Let The Sunshine In."
"We recorded that song in Las Vegas, in this small studio," LaRue said. "Our voices were all tired, we'd been performing there for over a month. It was the quickest thing we ever recorded and it was one of our biggest hits."
"Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In" remained in the number one spot on Billboard for six straight weeks and remained on the Top 40 for 16 weeks. Both the single and album "Age Of Aquarius" went Gold and received two Grammy Awards. The song eventually sold over two million copies.
The Fifth Dimension will perform the favorites but now in concert with symphony orchestras across the country will include new material tailored for each audience.
"We're looking forward to hearing them sing in our acoustically-tuned Symphony Hall in Springfield," Rhodes said.
LaRue said they enjoy the live symphony audiences.
"It allows us to stay fresh with new material and we are also more versatile and spontaneous now than we were in the past," she said.
The current group is proud of their dynamics that mixes five very different personalities and contrasting voices.
Their wholesome appeal has allowed them to appear at places such as Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida and they have played to wide audiences on tour in the United States as well as Europe and Asia.
During their career the group made theatrical history as the first group to perform in a Broadway play by starring in the national tour of the Tony Award-winning musical "Ain't Misbehavin'."
Reports reaching Maestro Rhodes of their audience pleasing performances include raves by critics who called their performances "fluid and well rehearsed."
Up next for the group, said LaRue, includes plans to record a new album based on their live shows. They plan to mix-in a little country, gospel and R& B.
The concert is sponsored by Verizon with media sponsor The Valley Advocate and WWLP-TV22.
Tickets may be purchased from the Springfield Symphony Box Office, 75 Market Place, downtown Springfield, charge (VISA, MasterCard or Discover) by calling 733-2291.
Admissions range from $12 to $48 with free parking. Tickets for youths age four to 17 are half price.
A 25 percent discount is available for groups 10 or more. Tickets are available online at SpringfieldSymphony.org. MassMutual Financial Group is the official season sponsor.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra performances are made possible through the generosity of donors, concertgoers, Business Friends of the Arts, Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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