Harry Elston obit

The Passing of Harry Elston of The Friends of Distinction–A True Friend To Many

 

He was not on the list.

We are so sorry to note the sudden passing of music legend, Harry Elston of The Friends of Distinction. More than that, for six decades he was LaMonte McLemore of The 5th Dimension‘s very best friend, and as well, a close, cherished friend to Marilyn & Billy @mccoodavis. Please join us in prayer for Harry’s wife, Yukari and his family, and for all—colleagues & friends—who loved and cherished Harry for his joyful optimistic manner, and the kindness, honesty and witty humor that were his trademark. Like his timeless musical legacy of “Grazin’ in the Grace” and so much more, his spirit will live forever.

—Robert-Allan Arno

Marilyn & Billy share with Forever 5th Dimension this texted cute story in honor of their dear friend: “Hi Robert, thanks for your condolences and for honoring Harry on Forever 5th. He was in the group (The Hi-Fi’s) in the beginning when we toured with Ray Charles before The 5th Dimension formed. After The 5th got together and had some hits (‘Up-Up and Away,’ and our first Grammy), Harry said ‘I can do that!’ So, he formed The Friends of Distinction. They recorded ‘Grazin’ in the Grass’ (a major hit for them) and they took off! We all stayed in touch with one another. So sad…”

My personal reflection posted on Harry’s Facebook page: “Soar high, honored friend. Great memories and chats, both the Vegas book launch of LaMonte‘s memoir 10 years ago that we co-hosted onstage, and then the “Black is Beautiful” event last year where you MC’ed masterfully and brought us all up for a speech. Your kindness, honesty, and wit will not be forgotten, and your writing style whether a hit legacy song or the review of Mac’s memoir proudly in “our” book’s insert was stellar…a smart soul you were and continue to be, now with the angels. Just sayin’ (your slogan!)…with #Respect.” —Robert-Allan

(Pictured in Collage above: Top: A recent photo of best pals, Harry and LaMonte, The Friends of Distinction, Harry’s memoir, Bottom: The Hi-Fi’s with Harry left, Marilyn & LaMonte, right. Below: The Friends of Distinction ’73, The 5th Dimension ’70)

One of the most likeable and vocally cohesive singing groups of the late 60s and early 70s, the Friends of Distinction are too often forgotten in retrospectives of that era, but their music has continued to live on. Formed by Harry Elston, Floyd Butler, Jessica Cleaves and Barbara Love in 1968, the group had a relatively short life in its original incarnation, but made some of the most memorable pop/soul music of all time.

Elston had been singing with the Hi-Fi’s in the mid-60s, warming up for Ray Charles in tours across the country. When that group split in 1966, members Marilyn McCoo and Lamont McLemore went on to co-found the enormously successful Fifth Dimension and Elston started the Friends, whose sound was similar to, and often confused with, the Fifth Dimension — both included tightly harmonizing men and women dressed in late 60s “hip” clothing — though the Friends’ music was generally more soulful.

The newly formed Friends of Distinction was managed by football great Jim Brown and signed with RCA Records. Hitting the popular music scene when Motown and Stax were dominating, the Friends arrived with a breezy California pop/soul sound. Great harmonies and crossover arrangements backed the individually strong lead vocals of the group members. Combined with top notch material (both originals and covers), the group, like the Fifth Dimension, sounded like a breath of fresh air on Pop radio in 1969.