Singing the Praises of Duets

Big names from pop charts past surface now and then on VH1’s “Where Are They Now?” series. Some whose fame was made in the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s work the ever-popular oldies circuit. Less often, the braver ones embark on the riskier proposition of forming new bands or striking out on their own.

Traveling somewhere in-between these paths are Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., two original members of the 5th Dimension who will perform tonight at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

The show, “It Takes Two,” is a musical tribute to the great pop, rock and soul duets from the 1960s through the 1980s. Featured songs include “It Takes Two,” “I Got You Babe,” “Proud Mary” (think Ike and Tina, not Creedence), “Love Will Keep Us Together” and McCoo and Davis’ own “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show),” among others.

The pair have a solid musical history to draw from as two-fifths of the Dimension. From 1967-74, the so-called “champagne soul” group placed a whopping 30 songs on the pop charts, among them “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” “The Worst That Could Happen,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and “One Less Bell to Answer.”

Since disbanding in 1975, “The Original Fifth Dimension” came together for a 1991 reunion tour. (Two other founding members, Lamonte McLemore and Florence LaRue Gordon, still tour as the “The 5th Dimension” with three backup singers.) The husband-and-wife team of McCoo and Davis, however, have ventured from their safety net.

The duo’s Grammy-winning, No. 1 hit “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)” helped their debut release, “I Hope We Get to Love in Time,” turn gold and led to the short-lived “The Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. Show” on CBS in 1977.

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In intervening years, the lower-profile Davis has focused mainly on business ventures.

McCoo has landed acting roles in both TV and theater, including “Days of Our Lives” soap opera and stage productions of “Anything Goes,” “Dreamgirls,” “A . . . My Name is Alice” and “Man of La Mancha” at the Pasadena Civic in 1990. In 1992, she garnered a Grammy nomination for her gospel recording, “The Me Nobody Knows.”

More recently, the duo joined in celebrating Duke Ellington’s 100th birthday in the musical “Hit Me With a Hot Note!”

Now with “It Takes Two,” they have chosen 21 selections originally recorded by such memorable singers as Sonny and Cher, the Captain & Tennille, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Can they bring another dimension to such signature songs so indelibly etched in the public’s mind?

“These are really duets done by couples who, for various reasons, are no longer working together,” McCoo, 55, said by telephone from the couple’s home in Los Angeles. “We want to bring these songs back . . . because people of our generation still love to hear them.”

The 58-year-old Davis said they can draw from a 30-year marriage to deepen lyrics of love, devotion and fulfillment. “When we sing [Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie’s] ‘Endless Love,’ it truly comes from our heart. There’s something very real there for us to connect with.”

“Proud Mary,” however, is something of a departure for the duo.

“It’s quite a sultry little number . . . and people don’t generally think of me as doing a tribute to Tina Turner,” McCoo said. “Of course, Billy is no Ike. So it is a challenge for us to capture the character behind the material.”

Sure, “It Takes Two” leans heavily on the warm glow of nostalgia. But don’t expect any apologies from its two stars.

“The audiences reminisce,” Davis said. “They grew up listening to these classic songs, and I think our show offers a great [emotional] release nowadays.

“Through their work, entertainers stand for different things. We stand for togetherness and love. It might sound corny, but that’s what’s missing in a lot of people’s lives right now.”

McCoo noted that rap and R&B; artists are covering some of the older tunes now.

“It’s not like contemporary audiences will only listen to brand new music,” she said. “There is some overlap between genres and generations.”

Because fans keep asking for a live recording of “It Takes Two,” McCoo said they’re likely to oblige sometime this year. But they know the odds are not good for hitting the pop charts with new material.

“In the record business today, when you reach a certain age, you just don’t fit in anymore,” Davis said. “The big labels’ resources are limited, and they’re directed at artists who are likely to sell millions of records.”

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Still, the industry’s emphasis on youth and mega-sales haven’t soured them. Their spiritual beliefs seem to transcend any diminishing career returns.

“[God’s] presence is a consideration in every decision we make,” McCoo said. “Our faith is our foundation. We’re very happy because we’ve been blessed to be able to do what we enjoy for most of our lives.”

* “It Takes Two,” starring Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., is tonight at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive. 8 p.m. $32-$47. (562) 916-8500.