Florence LaRue epitomizes that old saying that you can take the girl out of Glenside, but you can never take Glenside out of the girl.
“That’s because I had a great time growing up there and some of my best friends still live in the area. And when they come out to California to visit with me, they even bring me the butterscotch TastyKakes I love so much,” says LaRue, about to perform at Sellersville Oct. 14 as one of the beloved 5th Dimension.
LaRue, a graduate of Abington High School, is the only remaining original member of the group. Today, after singing those mighty award-winning songs, she is joined on stage by Willie Williams, Leonard Tucker, Patrice Morris and Floyd Smith, who have put together a show that resembles one that is decades old.
“We sing all our old classics because that’s what our audiences want to hear, even though we throw in a couple of new ones just to amuse ourselves and keep it fresh,” LaRue explains.
Some of those classics from hit albums, gold and platinum records and several Grammy Awards, include “Up, Up and Away,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In” and more.
“We’ve been blessed with so many hits, although that does limit us from doing too much new material. But at this point, who can complain or argue with success?” she says.
No, you definitely won’t hear much complaining from LaRue, who began her musical education studying dance and violin. Later moving to California with her family, LaRue earned an associate degree in music from Los Angeles City College, and eventually a bachelor of arts in elementary education from California State University.
“I grew up wanting to be either a teacher or an actress, most specifically a movie actress,” she says. “Singing was never in the equation. In fact, I never considered myself a singer.”
But Lamonte McLemore and Marilyn McCoo obviously did when they asked her to join their newly formed group the 5th Dimension. And so, with some hesitation, LaRue joined them.
She says, “In the beginning I thought we’d be successful or I wouldn’t have been a part of the group. But we never thought we’d have the kind of success we did have. We just did what we did. Now, as I look back and reflect on it all, I realize all the wonderful things that happened to us, like being able to sing at the White House or travel all over the world.”
Still going strong, LaRue says she has no plans to retire.
“Rather, I now enjoy two careers: One with the 5th Dimension and the other all by myself. I like doing my own thing, but I also enjoy being part of the group. I enjoy the harmony and the wonderful joy the music brings me and the audiences.”
As part of her solo career, LaRue has appeared in the national tour of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and starred in the Toronto and Calgary productions of “Mo’ Magic.”
Today, LaRue says she continues to sing in church and take voice lessons, saying she does so to keep her voice at its best. She advises others to do the same. She also has some down-to-earth advice for anyone who would enter show business.
“I think it’s very important to keep your priorities straight. For me, it’s God, family and career. You know, Grammy Awards are great, but they can’t hug you, so I realized early on that it’s relationships that are important in life.”
And after all these years, the most fulfilling part of her career?
“It’s being able to have my grandchildren come to the show and enjoy it. I’ve been blessed to be able to share everything with my family, my husband and my friends.”
IF You GO
The 5th Dimension takes to the stage at Sellersville Theater 1894, Main Street abd Temple Avenue, Sellersville, Sunday, Oct. 14 at 3 and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 and $50. For information, call 215-257-5808 or visit www.st94.com.
