"Where Do I Begin?" (Theme from LOVE STORY) by The 5th Dimension feat. Ron "Sweets" Townson

January 29th--FOREVER 5th DIMENSION proudly remembers the birthday of Ronald "Sweets" Townson...his aura of robust dignity, his unique operatically-based blend, "the visual image" of The 5th Dimension, as Florence LaRue so warmly called him. Ron on recording from the heart: the easy saunter of one of his personal favorites, "The Sailboat Song," the reflective mood of "What Do I Need to Be Me." In concert: the panoramic sweep of his "MacArthur Park," the mustache-twirling romp of "Eli's Coming," the virtuosity of Townson's tour-de-force Aria from "Pagliacci"--all showstoppers...and so was "The Sweet Man's" powerfully sensitive version of the popular Theme from "Love Story" ("Where Do I Begin?").

Hi, I'm Robert-Allan Arno, biographer of The 5th Dimension and I was never so happy to discover "Love Story" in the vaults, literally the summer that Mr. Townson left us in 2001. It was part of the Bones Howe-produced sessions that got scrapped from the original SOUL & INSPIRATION album...and I was also never so happy, thanks to Rob Santos and Gordon Anderson, to get "Love Story" released as part of the expanded SOUL & INSPIRATION CD re-issue a few years back. Here's what I wrote about this gem in my "special guest liners" to the project:

"The beloved Ron 'Sweets' Townson's take on Theme from 'Love Story' was ever a standing ovation-inducing winner at The 5th Dimension's stage shows circa '74. For its recording, (usually concert) vocal arranger Rene DeKnight impressively choreographs a live-in-studio ambience for the classically-trained Townson to soar just as freely. The 'Sweet Man's' interpretation accompanied by the group's intricate, emotional back-ups is one of cathartic magnitude and serves as true testimony to the gifts of this proud gentleman of song."

So I invite you to enjoy "Love Story" as we salute Ron's birthday with loving reflections. I personally found it quite a heartrending experience to produce this particular YouTube; I can't help but remember sitting with "Sweets" for a lengthy interview the day after The 5th's historic premiere reunion concert at Trump's in '91. His sheer joy in being part of music history was palpable--touchingly prideful yet humble. (We'll have highlights of that interview in our upcoming "Have You Tried Love" Valentine's Edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION debuting 2/14 at http://www.myspace.com/thesoulofvoice Marilyn and Billy (McCoo and Davis) say, "Robert, we look forward to your tribute to 'Sweets'...he left us way too soon." Bones Howe weighs in, "Ronald could musically go all over the place...what a consummate pro, just a pleasure in the studio!" 70's-80's 5th Dimension member, Gospel music's Joyce Wright Pierce added, "It seems like yesterday...he is still deeply missed on earth. When I recently unveiled 'Love Story' on my car's CD player, it was so beautiful, like I never heard him before, that I had to stop on the side of the road to compose myself!" Lamonte McLemore noted in our recent interview with regard to The 5th Dimension receiving their star on the prestigious St. Louis Walk of Fame this coming March 18th, "Without Ron there could never be a 5th Dimension musical reunion, it just wouldn't be right. The 5th Dimension were five individuals; there will never be a group like the original group." And my good pal, Kyle Townson, Ronald's son with a speaking voice as clear in timbre as his father's singing voice, sums it all up with his comment about the final frame of this video, "That's one of my favorite photos of my Dad; it really captures the spirit of love and happiness he truly was all about! Thank you, Robert and the fans for celebrating his birthday...the Townson family loves ya!"
Ronald "Sweets" Townson...Forever In Our Hearts.

Robert-Allan Arno
copyright 2010

With blessings, love and appreciation to The Townson Family, Marilyn & Billy, Florence and Lamonte & Mieko. And special thanks to my mentor, Bones Howe, Rob Santos & Jeremy Holiday at Sony, Gordon Anderson at Collectors' Choice, Mr. David Brokaw at The Brokaw Co. and Mr. Randall Jeffries.

You'll find all the classic 5th CD's including the re-issue of SOUL & INSPIRATION featuring "Love Story" plus Marilyn & Billy's latest, THE MANY FACES OF LOVE at the store: http://www.MccooDavis.com.

FOREVER 5th DIMENSION is a copyrighted production of The Soul of the Voice, Ltd. Photos contained in the Blog-Magazine and videos are from the Arno-5th Dimension-McCoo-Davis Legacy Collection, All Rights Reserved, not to be re-printed.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• The 5th Dimension
• Marilyn McCoo
• Ron Townson
• LOVE STORY
• Billy Davis Jr.
• Bones Howe
• Theme from Love Story
• Florence LaRue
• Where Do I Begin?
• Lamonte McLemore
• Soul and Inspiration
• Sweets
• MarBill
• Forever Fifth Dimension
• Robert-Allan Arno

[kpitt1204]

I met Ron at the Beverly HIlls Hilton and asked to take his picture. He opened his mouth in shock. He did not think that I knew who he was or who he sang with. Ho thought I was too young to know him, but I assured him that I had been watching him all my life. He was still in shock, but let me take the picture. I think he was the first celebrity I ever photograhed. He was a very kind man.

[robbybobbyoh]

Thanks for sharing that special memory, Kenny. Yes, I'll always remember Ron as humble yet prideful, that special brand of touching dignity that was so present in our interview during the time of The original 5th's reunion tour...I feature highlights of it in the Valentine's edition of FOREVER 5th DIMENSION (see "More Info" to the right). God bless.

[robbybobbyoh]

Thanks CJ. I'm a firm believer in everything unfolding in God's time and I am so pleased to have gotten LOVE STORY un-vaulted and out to the fans on CD a few years ago and now on YouTube. In so many ways, the song has that heaven-sent light that serves as an extra special historic tribute to The 5th's versatility and Ronald's awesome attributes. Blessings to you and to so many who wrote me privately and were touched by "The Sweet Man's" vocal grace and loving kindness.

-Robert-Allan Arno

[RTA6226]

VERY nice tribute!!!! As always Robert, you are very professional.

[stage7]

On My First Passing, I didn't even SEE the video! This is sooo beautiful and touching, I CRIED all the way thru it after it started good! THIS group KILLED this song so Tenderly and with their blend that only THEY can uniquely produce! I am SPEECHLESS and in STRONG wonderment WHY this has NEVER surfaced before This beautiful man had left the earth! THIS IS PHENOMENAL! Forever The FIFTH will ALWAY Fill My Heart with Very Special Things!

Still crying.....

C.J.