LaMonte McLemore, Founding Member of The 5th Dimension, Dies at 90
LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the iconic vocal group The 5th Dimension, has passed away at the age of 90. McLemore died on Tuesday at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family, according to a statement from his representative Jeremy Westby. The cause of death was natural causes following a stroke.
The 5th Dimension, known for their smooth blend of pop, soul, and psychedelic sounds, achieved significant crossover success in the 1960s and 1970s. The group won six Grammy Awards, including record of the year twice—for the 1967 hit "Up, Up and Away" and the 1969 smash "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In." The latter, a mashup of songs from the musical "Hair," spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
A Dual Career in Music and Photography
Beyond his musical talents, McLemore had a parallel career as a sports and celebrity photographer. His work appeared in publications such as Jet magazine. Born in St. Louis, he served in the Navy as an aerial photographer and later played baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system before settling in Southern California.
It was there that McLemore began to hone his warm bass voice and photographic skills. He sang in a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fi's with future 5th Dimension bandmate Marilyn McCoo. The group opened for Ray Charles in 1963 but disbanded the following year.
The Formation of The 5th Dimension
McLemore, McCoo, and two childhood friends from St. Louis, Billy Davis Jr. and Ronald Towson, later formed a singing group named the Versatiles. They were joined by Florence LaRue, a schoolteacher McLemore met through his photography work. In 1965, the group signed to singer Johnny Rivers' new label, Soul City Records, and changed their name to The 5th Dimension to better reflect the cultural zeitgeist of the era.
Their breakthrough came in 1967 with a cover of the Mamas & the Papas' song "Go Where You Wanna Go." That same year, they released "Up, Up and Away," written by Jimmy Webb, which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and won four Grammy Awards. The song's accolades included record of the year, best contemporary single, best performance by a vocal group, and best contemporary group performance.
Peak Success and Cultural Impact
In 1968, The 5th Dimension scored hits with Laura Nyro's songs "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Sweet Blindness." Their commercial peak arrived in 1969 with "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," which not only topped the charts for six weeks but also earned Grammys for record of the year and best contemporary vocal performance by a group.
That year, the group performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival, later dubbed the "Black Woodstock." Their participation was featured in the 2021 documentary Summer of Soul, directed by Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson. The 5th Dimension achieved rare crossover success with white audiences for an all-Black group, though this sometimes drew criticism for not being "Black enough," as McCoo noted in the documentary.
Later Years and Legacy
The group continued to produce hits into the 1970s, including "One Less Bell to Answer," "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All," and "If I Could Reach You." They became staples on TV variety shows, performed at the White House, and participated in an international cultural tour organized by the U.S. State Department.
The original lineup lasted until 1975, when McCoo and Davis left to pursue solo careers. In statements following McLemore's passing, McCoo and Davis, who married in 1969, expressed that they would "definitely miss his energy and wonderful sense of humor." LaRue added that McLemore's "cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times."
LaMonte McLemore is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mieko McLemore, daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan, and three grandchildren. His legacy as a musician and photographer leaves an indelible mark on American culture.
