5th Dimension lets the sun shine in at Grand Opera House

Get ready to be taken “Up, Up, and Away.” The 5th Dimension is bringing the “Age of Aquarius” to Macon in the form of 1970s soul.

Even though the hit-making group has been touring all over the United States, Asia and Europe, founding member Florence LaRue said she’s excited about their stop in Macon on Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to coming to Macon. I’ve never been before, but one of my favorite pleasures is Southern food,” said LaRue. “I love traveling and performing live. I really enjoy the contact with the audience. I like seeing people’s faces. People ask me if I get tired of singing the same songs — some of which I’ve been singing for almost 50 years — but every performance is always a new experience. People always come to tell me about their favorite songs and their memories of first hearing it and I really enjoy that.”

With more than a dozen hit albums, 14 gold records, six platinum records and six Grammy awards, the 5th Dimension prides itself on remaining true to their roots and intricate harmonies.

“I’m very proud that we sing the whole song, as it was recorded, same arrangements as it was originally,” LaRue said. “We don’t use electronic embellishments and we find that we are a big hit with young people today.”

In fact, the group’s popularity among younger fans has prompted them to plan a new album.

“We are really looking forward to recording a new CD for the younger people,” LaRue said. “We’re not in the studio yet, but we are planning a new release soon.”

She said the group’s performance at the Grand Opera House will be “family-oriented,” and encouraged “young people to come with their parents.”

More than 40 years of performances has left LaRue with a lot of favorite songs, including their hits “Up, Up, and Away,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep” and “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine in.”

“I love singing most of our songs,” LaRue admitted, “but one of my favorites is ‘One Less Bell to Answer,’ written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It’s just so lovely and has wonderful lyrics.”

LaRue has long-stated her preference for remaining innovative with the group’s music.

“The 5th Dimension is a light in the darkness. We want to uplift people to let them know that there is hope and we do that through our music,” she said. “We want to spread that to as many people as we can. We recently went to the Philippines and that was a fantastic trip. It let us see how our music really connects people across the globe.”

Be sure to stick around after the concert is over.

“We meet people after the show to sign CDs and autographs,” LaRue said, adding that meeting fans is one of her favorite things about being on the road.

“It’s a joy to meet fans. ... And, if anyone wants to bring me a sweet potato pie, I wouldn’t say no!”

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "5th Dimension lets the sun shine in at Grand Opera House."