1. Ronald Townson was an original member of the 5th Dimension, a popular vocal group of the late 1960s and early 1970s; he is the only original member of the group who is no longer living.
14 Facts About Ronald Townson
1. 2.
Ronald Townson started singing at age six and was a featured soloist on various choirs throughout his school years.
3.
Ronald Townson's grandmother inspired him to sing and his parents arranged for him to have private singing and acting lessons.
4.
Ronald Townson won third place in the Missouri State trials for the Metropolitan Opera.
5.
Ronald Townson toured with Wings Over Jordan for eight years while still in school and was their choir director for two years.
6.
Ronald Townson worked his way through Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, by conducting the university and church choirs; he played football and ran track in college.
7.
Ronald Townson left St Louis to pursue a musical career in Los Angeles.
8.
Ronald Townson organized and conducted his own 35-voice a cappella choir in Los Angeles.
9.
Ronald Townson wanted a newer sounding name for the group, and they soon came up with The 5th Dimension.
10.
In 1976, after ten successful years with the 5th Dimension, Ronald Townson left the group.
11.
In 1992 Ronald Townson appeared in the Warner Brothers film The Mambo Kings.
12.
Ronald Townson involved himself with other business ventures and served on the board of directors of the Cambridge-Kilpatrick Acting School.
13.
Ronald Townson was honored at Lincoln University with the school's Distinguished Alumni Award.
14.
In 1999, Ronald Townson moved to Las Vegas and died in his home on August 2,2001 of kidney failure after a four-year battle with kidney disease.