LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of The 5th Dimension whose silky vocals helped define an era of crossover pop-soul music, has died at age 90.
McLemore passed away Tuesday at his Las Vegas home, surrounded by family, after suffering a stroke.
His death marks the end of a remarkable journey from Navy aerial photographer to Grammy-winning vocalist whose group dominated the charts in the late 1960s and early ’70s.
His legacy includes some of pop music’s most enduring hits and a unique place in cultural history as part of a groundbreaking Black ensemble that achieved unprecedented mainstream success.
From Baseball Dreams to Vocal Stardom
Born in St. Louis, McLemore’s path to musical fame was anything but conventional. After serving in the Navy as an aerial photographer, he pursued professional baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system.
Upon settling in Southern California, McLemore discovered dual talents that would shape his career: a warm bass voice and an exceptional eye behind the camera. He maintained a parallel career as a sports and celebrity photographer, with his work appearing in prestigious publications including Jet magazine.
His musical journey began with a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fi’s, where he performed alongside future bandmate Marilyn McCoo. Though that group disbanded after opening for Ray Charles in 1963, it planted seeds for something far bigger.
Birth of The 5th Dimension
McLemore reunited with McCoo in 1965, recruiting childhood friends Billy Davis Jr. and Ronald Towson from St. Louis. Through his photography work, he met Florence LaRue, a schoolteacher who would complete the original lineup.
Initially called the Versatiles, the group signed with Johnny Rivers’ new Soul City Records label and rebranded as The 5th Dimension—a name chosen to capture the psychedelic, consciousness-expanding spirit of the mid-1960s.
Their timing couldn’t have been better. America was ready for something new, and The 5th Dimension delivered a sophisticated blend of pop, soul, and jazz that transcended traditional genre boundaries.
Chart-Topping Success and Grammy Glory
The group’s breakthrough arrived in 1967 with their cover of The Mamas & the Papas’ “Go Where You Wanna Go.” But it was Jimmy Webb’s “Up, Up and Away” that same year that catapulted them to superstardom.
The song climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned them four Grammy Awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year.
1968 brought continued success with Laura Nyro compositions “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness.” Yet 1969 would prove to be their commercial peak.
The “Aquarius” Phenomenon
“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In”—a medley from the Broadway musical “Hair”—spent six weeks at No. 1 on the pop charts. The song earned them their second Record of the Year Grammy and became a defining anthem of the counterculture era.
That same year, they performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival, later dubbed the “Black Woodstock.” Their performance was immortalized decades later in Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s acclaimed 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul.”
Navigating Criticism and Breaking Barriers
The 5th Dimension’s crossover appeal came with controversy. As an all-Black group achieving massive success with white audiences, they faced accusations of not being “Black enough.”
We were constantly being attacked because we weren’t, quote, unquote, ‘Black enough.’ Sometimes we were called the Black group with the white sound, and we didn’t like that. We happened to be artists who are Black, and our voices sound the way they sound.
McCoo’s words, captured in “Summer of Soul,” reveal the pressure faced by artists who defied easy categorization during a tumultuous era of racial tension and social change.
Despite criticism, The 5th Dimension continued breaking barriers, becoming regulars on television variety shows and performing at the White House. They even represented American culture abroad through an international tour organized by the State Department.
Continued Success Through the ’70s
The hits kept coming into the 1970s with memorable songs including:
- “One Less Bell to Answer” – A heart-wrenching ballad showcasing their emotional range
- “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All” – Another chart success that demonstrated their staying power
- “If I Could Reach You” – Proving their ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes
The original lineup remained intact until 1975, when McCoo and Davis departed to pursue their own musical partnership. The married couple, who wed in 1969, would go on to enjoy their own chart success.
A Legacy of Joy and Brotherhood
Following news of McLemore’s death, his former bandmates shared heartfelt tributes that spoke to his character beyond the spotlight.
All of us who knew and loved him will definitely miss his energy and wonderful sense of humor.
McCoo and Davis emphasized the personal loss felt by those who knew him intimately.
Florence LaRue’s statement painted a picture of deep friendship forged through years of collaboration and shared experiences.
His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times. We were more like brother and sister than singing partners.
An Enduring Impact
McLemore’s contributions extended beyond his six Grammy Awards and numerous hit records. He helped create a blueprint for how Black artists could achieve mainstream success without compromising their identity or artistic vision.
The 5th Dimension’s music remains beloved across generations, their songs continuing to receive airplay and streaming attention more than five decades after their initial release.
McLemore is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mieko McLemore, daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan, and three grandchildren. His passing leaves a void in music history, but his voice, vision, and joyful spirit live on through timeless recordings that captured lightning in a bottle during one of pop music’s most creative periods.