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Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll Podcast


"Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll" is a "rockumentary" series telling the greatest rock and roll stories on record. Some of our episodes spotlight specific artists, and others cover various specific subjects. All of them rock as we cover stories and myths about songs you can sing along with.

Nov 1, 2016

Rare & Scratchy Rock 'N Roll Salutes The 5th Dimension

This edition spotlights a group whose more than ten years of hits started in 1967.

Their music was a mixture of mainstream pop, rhythm and blues, soul, Broadway show tunes, Hollywood movie soundtrack songs, and even disco.

They were everywhere on television during their peak period. You saw them on network variety shows and their own special. They portrayed themselves on a murder/mystery/detecitive series episode.

And they chose their music wisely – drawing on some of the greatest songwriters of their era – especially Jim Webb, Laura Nyro, Hal David & Bert Bacharach, Ashford & Simpson, Neil Sedaka, and Paul Anka, among others.

As race relations evolved during the late 1960s and early 1970s, this singing group also made social action a part of several hit songs.

Their style was described as “champagne soul,” and we’ll serve up a sampling of all their vintage hit singles. They’re the 5th Dimension. Hear how they brought new dimensions to memorable music.


SJC in Detroit
six and a half years ago

Another great one with familiar songs that I learned more about and other songs that I hadn't heard in a long time. And a K-Tel commercial -- tough to beat. Thanks again Radio Dave.