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Marilyn McCoo, host of "Solid Gold", in 1987. Source: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/351695174685 (May be subject to copyright) |
It was all hosted by Marilyn McCoo, an acclaimed performer in her own right, who I had already seen many times, but usually with her husband Billy Davis, Jr., not as a solo act.
A few days ago I watched “The Waltons: Homecoming” on the PVR. It was a 2021 remake of the original 1971 movie that spawned the long-running series.
During a scene with some people singing, I recognized one of the singers, then another. Older, but more distinguished and sounding as good as ever were Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr.
It got me thinking back to “Solid Gold”, but so much more that Marilyn McCoo did.
Inter-dimensional
My first exposure to Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. was their band the 5th Dimension, and particularly their song “Up, Up and Away”, released in 1967. “Up, Up and Away” went all the way to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and won six Grammys in 1968 for Record of the Year; Song of the Year; Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals; Best Performance by a Vocal Group; Best Performance by a Chorus; and Best Contemporary Song.
My first exposure to Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. was their band the 5th Dimension, and particularly their song “Up, Up and Away”, released in 1967. “Up, Up and Away” went all the way to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and won six Grammys in 1968 for Record of the Year; Song of the Year; Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals; Best Performance by a Vocal Group; Best Performance by a Chorus; and Best Contemporary Song.
They also recorded “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” for the musical “Hair” in 1969. It went all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group.
McCoo and Davis left the 5th Dimension in 1975. It was as a duo I saw them perform on various shows, and where they became synonymous with each other in my mind.
Golden
Marilyn McCoo became the host of “Solid Gold” in 1981 and stayed with the show until 1984. She returned to host again from 1986 to 1988.
Marilyn McCoo became the host of “Solid Gold” in 1981 and stayed with the show until 1984. She returned to host again from 1986 to 1988.
She was really good in that role because she was a performer too, so she knew how to host but also how to interact with performers.
There is one thing I will always remember. “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins was my favourite song in 1984. However, I could not really understand all the lyrics. Then, on an episode of “Solid Gold”, Marilyn McCoo sang “Against All Odds” and clearly enunciated every word. I finally knew what the song was saying.
On screen
As illustrated by “The Waltons: Homecoming”, Marilyn McCcoo also has an acting career.
She appeared on the soap opera “Days Of Our Lives” in 1986 as a friend of Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, and the love interest of Abe Carver, played by James Reynolds, until she left the show in 1987. She has also had guest starring roles in “The Love Boat”; the television movie “The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins”; “Double Dare”; the soap opera “Santa Barbara”; “New Love American Style”; “The Fall Guy”; “Punky Brewster”; “Sonny Spoon”; and “Night Court”.
As illustrated by “The Waltons: Homecoming”, Marilyn McCcoo also has an acting career.
She appeared on the soap opera “Days Of Our Lives” in 1986 as a friend of Marlena Evans, played by Deidre Hall, and the love interest of Abe Carver, played by James Reynolds, until she left the show in 1987. She has also had guest starring roles in “The Love Boat”; the television movie “The Fantastic World of D.C. Collins”; “Double Dare”; the soap opera “Santa Barbara”; “New Love American Style”; “The Fall Guy”; “Punky Brewster”; “Sonny Spoon”; and “Night Court”.
Parting thoughts
When I think of Marilyn McCoo, I will always think of “Solid Gold”. It was at a time when I was just getting into music, so I soaked up every minute of it. I learned so much about the music of the day and a lot of that information is still with me.
When I think of Marilyn McCoo, I will always think of “Solid Gold”. It was at a time when I was just getting into music, so I soaked up every minute of it. I learned so much about the music of the day and a lot of that information is still with me.
Music became a big part of my life in the 1980s, and “Solid Gold” played a big part in that when I was just starting out.
For that, I will be eternally grateful to “Solid Gold”, and its most famous host Marilyn McCoo.
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