The Age of Aquarius: Aging Gracefully with the 5th Dimension's Florence LaRue

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EPISODE SUMMARY

From singing in the famous group the 5^th Dimension, to being an actress, writer, and even a featured performer in Questlove’s documentary, “Summer of Soul: the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival”, Florence LaRue is a woman whose successful career has continued to expand and flourish. In today’s episode, we sat down with Florence to discuss her role in the 5^th Dimension, her style icons, how to keep a positive attitude during your second act, and her future plans.

First, we asked Florence about how she became a part of the group the 5^th Dimension. She explained that initially, she had graduated with college with an education degree and was participating in beauty contests. After winning the talent portion of a contest, she was approached by a man and asked to be a singer in his group. Although she initially said no, he was persistent, and eventually she became the last to join what is now the 5^th Dimension. When it came to the 5^th Dimension’s sound, no one knew how to categorize their music. With five singing voices in the group, a wide range of sounds and music types could be played, especially during live shows. However, despite the lack of a label, Florence told us that she’s heard the group’s music referred to as “champagne soul” and loves the phrase. We also asked Florence about her thoughts on being featured in Questlove’s documentary, “Summer of Soul: the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival”. She said that she was shocked to not only be a part of the film but to then be trending worldwide on social media. She also found it both strange and entertaining to go back and watch old videos of the 5^th dimension in the documentary. As for the future of the 5^th Dimension, Florence is the only original member but hopes to make new music and begin recording again. She wants to return to the studio soon, especially since she’ll be celebrating her 80^th birthday in February.

When asked about the lack of black representation during her childhood, Florence attributed her drive to her mother. From a young age, Florence’s mother encouraged her to follow her dreams. Florence grew up surrounded by music, taking dance classes, and listening to classical music. To this day, she still loves to listen to classical music. She also loves to watch old films, which is where she gets a lot of her fashion inspiration. Florence discussed how enamored she is by women’s fashion during the 1940s, especially icons such as Audrey Hepburn. She loves the mixture of feminine and masculine touches to the clothing, and how women made even pants look more feminine at the time. When asked about modern fashion and the importance of accessorizing in your second act, Florence explained how women should know how to properly wear accessories. She sees so many women in their second act wearing too much makeup and believes that the ideal look should be feminine and sensuous but not overdone. Florence told us that the staple of fashion for every woman’s closet should be a scoop neck black dress, for you can wear it on any occasion. She also mentioned an important tip when wearing gowns: always move in it first. You need to ensure that it is not only comfortable to move around in but that it is an appropriate length when sitting.

Florence keeps such a positive attitude, and we asked her for tips on how to maintain an upbeat outlook on life during your second act. She told us that for her, the most important things that have kept her grounded are a spiritual foundation and love. The love of not only romantic partners but of family and friends have kept her going, and she emphasized how important a sense of community can be as we age. Florence mentioned that previously, she’d started a line where senior, single women could meet once a week and share their lives, allowing them to bond over experiences and form important connections. The group would have a word to discuss each meeting and would end with Florence performing a song pertaining to that word.

Finally, we asked Florence about her future plans. She said she’s going to be very busy with 5^th dimension tours, her book tours and book signings, and her one-woman show, “Just as I Am”. She also hopes to start recording new music with the 5^th dimension.

Florence LaRue

Singer, writer, actress and activist Florence LaRue is perhaps best known for her role as lead vocalist of legendary group, The 5th Dimension. Revered for her melodic, soulful voice, she dominated Billboard charts with the group, earning a staggering six Grammy Awards together. Additionally, she pioneered a solo theatrical career met with critical acclaim for her one-woman show, “Just as I Am,” her lead role in the Canadian play “Mo Magic” and extraordinary cabaret show “Musique a LaRue.” She was also recently showcased in Questlove’s documentary, “Summer of Soul: the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival”.

Over the course of her award-winning career, she has earned 14 gold records, three platinum records, has sold over 35 million albums and received numerous other awards. Now, she ventures into the realm of written word with her first book, “Grace in Your Second Act: A Guide to Aging Gracefully.” In it, she reflects on the wisdom and knowledge of her experiences, sharing style tips, life advice, and inspiring anecdotes on how to get the most out of life. Far from pessimistic, she embraces her seniority, sharing an empowering philosophy of excitement and freedom because of her age, rather than in spite of it. When not performing and giving back to her community, LaRue enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family, which includes six great grandchildren.