Originally, there were five young talented vocalists of the multiple Grammy- award-winning 5th Dimension. Their music was a combination of pop, pop soul, and psychedelic soul with hits like “Stone Cold Picnic,” “Day By Day By,” “Never My Love,” and an era-defining hit, “Age of Aquarius – Let The Sunshine In.”
Formed in 1965 – think big bell bottoms, tie-dye clothes, peasant blouses, and ponchos – the original members were Marilyn McCoo, Florence LaRue, Ronald Townson, Bill Davis Jr., and Lamonte McLemore. Together they embodied the hopes and aspirations of African American performers who created music for a generation.
Today, La Rue is the only original member of the quintet performing those memorable songs on the nostalgia concert circuit with four new members. What’s so impressive is her vitality – her voice, stamina, and endless energy.
Intelligent, beautiful, and talented are words that are still used to describe LaRue, who is 81 years old. So, to help others learn that age is just a number, she has penned a book titled: “Grace In Your Second Act: A Guide To Aging Gracefully.”
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“There are several things that inspired me to write the book,” said LaRue. “One was after each show, women would come up to me and ask, ‘What do you do? What is your secret to having such energy? And how do you look the way you do?’ because on stage, I do tell them how old I am. And they are just shocked to see how much energy I have, and how I can continue to do the choreography.
“So, I decided to share with them I won’t call secrets because we all know what to do. It’s just are we willing to make the sacrifice to do it?” added LaRue.
LaRue said as some people age, they stop taking care of themselves mentally, physically, and spiritually. She hoped her book would inspire the senior community to rediscover their zest for living.
“During the Christmas season, I would visit senior homes,” said LaRue. “I would see seniors in bed because they didn’t take care of themselves. Had they taken (better) care of themselves, they wouldn’t have some of the diseases. I wanted to encourage seniors to live, and don’t just exist! And that’s men and women, young and old.”
A former dancer, LaRue said she walks two miles every day, down from five after a few injuries. She said she has a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins like fish and chicken.
Filled with lessons learned after more than fifty years as a performer and lead singer for the legendary group, LaRue’s book has pearls of wisdom on how she has achieved health, happiness, and a blessed long life.
“Grace In Your Second Act: A Guide To Aging Gracefully” is available at Amazon and at other book dealers.