Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo

MANILA, Philippines -- Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., who formed the legendary quintet 5th Dimension along with three other musicians in the ’60s, will take music enthusiasts on a trip down memory lane during their much-anticipated concert billed as “Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr. Live in Manila!” Thursday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The show will also feature local talent Arthur Manuntag.

To be mounted by Ovation Productions, the two-hour presentation is expected to attract an impressive crowd – mostly of the Baby Boomers variety – captivated by the charm of the music of one of America’s most popular acts from the late ’60s through the early ’70s.

The stint of Marilyn and Billy with The 5th Dimension, which they co-founded in 1966 with Lamonte McLemore, Ron Townson and Florence LaRue, spawned hits like “Up, Up And Away,” “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “One Less Bell To Answer” and “Stoned Soul Picnic,” to mention a few.

“Up, Up And Away” and “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” reached No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969, with “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In” winning the Grammy for “Record of the Year.”

In 1975, McCoo and Davis – who got married in 1969 – left the band and went on to attain success via “You Don’t Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show),” which became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January, 1977 and earned them a Grammy (their seventh) for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

During the next decade, they also headlined shows in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City, played to SRO crowds in concerts across America and won the prestigious Grand Prize at the International Tokyo Music Festival.

As solo performers, the duo earned its share of international success. Marilyn hosted the popular American syndicated TV series, “Solid Gold,” for five years, while Billy realized his lifelong dream to record a religious album with gospel great Rev. James Cleveland, entitled “Let Me Have A Dream.”

In the early ’90s, the couple joined the other original members of The 5th Dimension in a special reunion tour and shared in its collective triumph.

They celebrate their 42 years of marriage this year.

Concert King  at Resorts World

Concert King Martin Nievera is set to conquer Resorts World Manila via a solo show dubbed “Tribute,” slated at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Produced by Viva Concerts & Events, the two-day concert series will held on July 16 and 23.

After a very successful Valentine concert with Sarah Geronimo at the Araneta Coliseum last February, “Tribute” marks Martin’s return to the one-man show that he has always been famous for.

Martin will give his countrymen the chance to see for themselves why he is an in demand performer In Las Vegas. His latest performance in that entertainment mecca in the US was at the MGM Hotel & Casino and at Suncoast Hotel.

True to the title of his concert, Martin will be giving tribute to well-loved music legends such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, Dean Martin and our very own great composers George Canseco, Willy Cruz and Louie Ocampo.

Martin is expected to include in his repertoire his hit songs like “Be My Lady,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Holiday,” “Please Don’t Throw That Love Away,” “Each Day With You,” “Forever,” “You Are My Song,” “Kahit Isang Saglit” and “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin” among others.

Tickets to “Tribute” are available at Ticketworld and Viva Concerts & Events.

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