Florence LaRue
Florence LaRue (born February 4, 1942) is an American singer and actress, best known as an original member of the 5th Dimension. Early life. LaRue was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, but moved to Glenside, Pennsylvania, when she was young. She began her musical education studying dance and violin. Her family moved to Los Angeles, California, where she earned an Associate's Degree in Music from Los Angeles City College. She later received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from California State University. Work with the 5th Dimension. In 1966, LaRue was approached by Lamonte McLemore and  Marilyn McCoo to join their recently formed group the 5th Dimension. LaRue nearly always sang female lead on one song per album, with McCoo taking the lead on one song as well; otherwise she sang the alto voice parts along with McCoo's soprano, being featured prominently on "Stoned Soul Picnic", or shared the lead with McCoo on songs including "Blowing Away", "Puppet Man", "Save the Country", and "Sweet Blindness". After McCoo's departure, LaRue was lead singer on hit songs including "Love Hangover" (1976). As a member of the 5th Dimension, LaRue received six Grammy Awards, including Grammy Award  for Record of the Year for "Up, Up and Away" (1968) and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" (1969). Acting and theater career. She appeared in the CBS movie of the week "Happy" with Dom DeLuise. She also performed in the national tour of Broadway's Tony Award winning musical "Ain't Misbehavin", and starred in the Toronto and Calgary productions of "Mo' Magic". LaRue co-hosted the Arthritis Telethon with Jane Wyman, judged two segments of "Puttin' on the Hits", appeared as a celebrity guest on "Star Search", and been a special guest on numerous television shows, including several appearances  on "The Dale Evans Show", "The Today Show", The Carol Lawrence Show, and numerous other Christian and secular programs. Current singing career. , the group was touring as "Florence LaRue & The Fifth Dimension" led by LaRue with Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker, Patrice Morris, and Floyd Smith. She is married to Laurence P. Kantor. She was previously married to Errol Aubry, Marc Gordon, and Bennett Curland, with one child from her marriage to former manager Gordon. In June 2016, LaRue and the group performed in The Villages, Florida, just days after the Orlando nightclub shooting. LaRue took the opportunity to share her  thoughts on the events: "We will not be terrorized. We know what’s happening in the world, but this is a song about good health, love, peace and happiness. We still believe in those things today," she stated before performing one of the band's hit singles, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In".