This summer, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will celebrate an incredible 52 years of marriage. That’s right, folks—five decades and then some. Now, if that doesn’t scream enduring love, I don’t know what does. But here’s the kicker: these two aren’t just life partners; they’re also professional partners, having worked side by side since their early days with the legendary 5th Dimension in the mid-1960s. Sure, they’ve had their fair share of disagreements over the years, but as Marilyn exclusively tells Closer Weekly, “There’s such joy in performing together on stage.” And honestly, who wouldn’t want to share that kind of magic?
At 77 and 82 respectively, Marilyn and Billy are living proof that love and music can age like fine wine. Their smash hits, including “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” and “The Worst That Could Happen” with the 5th Dimension, and their duet “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (to Be in My Show),” have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Recently, they’ve released a remake of Paul McCartney’s “Silly Love Songs,” which marks the beginning of their upcoming album Blackbird: Lennon-McCartney Icons. You can catch this gem on all music platforms this spring.
Why “Silly Love Songs”?
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Billy explains it best: “We wanted to talk about love. It’s a perfect theme because it’s so uplifting.” Marilyn adds, “We felt like everyone could use something uplifting these days.” And who can argue with that? In times like these, a little positivity goes a long way.
Love at First Sight? Not Exactly
Did love strike instantly when you first met?
Billy laughs as he recalls their early days, “No, it wasn’t love at first sight. Our friendship blossomed first. We became very good friends, and then the love bug hit later.” Marilyn chimes in, “We had a similar passion for music. After rehearsals, Billy and I found ourselves spending a lot of time talking to each other at parties. Music brought us together, and the rest is history.”
The Magic of “Up, Up and Away”
Ask anyone about the 5th Dimension, and the first thing that comes to mind is “Up, Up and Away.” Billy shares, “Our dear friend Jimmy Webb gave us that song to record, and it changed everything. It was a game-changer for us.” Marilyn adds, “That song earned us four Grammy Awards. Funny thing is, back in 1967, we didn’t even know what a Grammy Award was because they weren’t televised yet.”
Life on the Road
Life in the music industry wasn’t all glitz and glamour. Billy remembers, “We were working non-stop! We were on the road probably eight months out of the year.” Marilyn reminisces, “We performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival and worked alongside legends like Janis Joplin, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Jimi Hendrix. But despite the party scene, we weren’t major partiers because we were so busy. You can’t stay out until 5 a.m. and expect to hit your notes on stage that night!”
Breaking Down Barriers
The 5th Dimension was more than just a musical act; they were trailblazers. Marilyn reflects, “Yes, it was a time when people of color weren’t seen on television much. We felt a responsibility to do our best so that we could help create more opportunities for people of color. We took that responsibility seriously.” Billy nods in agreement, “We were proud to be in that position.”
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Leaving the Group
After a decade of success, the duo decided it was time to pursue solo careers. Billy explains, “We always knew we wanted to explore our individual paths. After about 10 years, everyone wanted to do more.” Marilyn adds, “We’re really happy that we all remained friends. In 1990, we were asked to consider a reunion tour. We got together and were standing around the piano, singing ‘Up, Up and Away.’ The sound was exactly the same. We hadn’t realized how magical our five voices were together until that day. It was a highlight in our lives.” Billy echoes her sentiment, “After 15 years of not singing together, it was amazing.”
Working Together as a Couple
Marilyn and Billy decided to record together as a duo in the late 1970s. Marilyn explains, “We were going to go different ways in our solo careers, but then we realized we didn’t want that. We were afraid it might split us up. We decided it was more important to keep our relationship alive. We’ve always been committed to our marriage.” Billy adds, “We enjoy working together so much. Over the years, we’ve learned how to handle mistakes and disagreements. Now, everything runs pretty smoothly.” Marilyn emphasizes, “Realizing that this person is your best friend is key. You wouldn’t want to hurt your best friend’s feelings, and you certainly don’t want to lose them. So, you find ways to make things work.”
Advice for Staying in Love
Billy shares, “We’re both strong Christians. We love the Lord and practice life lessons like being kind to one another. You can’t condemn cruelty if you’re practicing it. So, we say, just relax and breathe. Everything’s going to be all right.” Marilyn adds, “One of my proudest achievements is our 51 years of marriage. Learning how to support each other and be kind is ultimately what it’s all about.” Billy agrees, “Marriage is hard for every couple, especially for those who spend all day, every day together. I’m proud of where we are in our lives right now. God has been so good to us, allowing us to keep our voices for so many years. That’s a great achievement.”
—Reporting by Natalie Posner
For more on this story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.
