LaMonte McLemore, the celebrated bass vocalist and a founding pillar of the iconic pop-soul group The 5th Dimension, has passed away at the age of 90. His death marks the end of an era for a musician whose contributions helped define the sound of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
A Life in Music and Photography
McLemore died peacefully on Tuesday at his residence in Las Vegas, surrounded by his close family. His representative, Jeremy Westby, confirmed that the singer succumbed to natural causes following a stroke. Beyond his musical legacy, McLemore cultivated a notable parallel career as a skilled sports and celebrity photographer, with his work gracing the pages of prestigious publications such as Jet magazine.
From St. Louis to Stardom
Born in St. Louis, McLemore's early life was marked by diverse pursuits. He served with distinction in the US Navy, where he honed his talents as an aerial photographer. Following his military service, he briefly played baseball within the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system before settling in Southern California. It was there that he began to fully embrace his rich bass voice and photographic expertise.
His musical journey started with a jazz ensemble known as the Hi-Fi's, where he performed alongside future 5th Dimension bandmate Marilyn McCoo. The group even had the honour of opening for the legendary Ray Charles in 1963, though they disbanded the following year.
The Birth of The 5th Dimension
In 1965, McLemore, McCoo, two childhood friends from St. Louis—Billy Davis Jr. and Ronald Townson—along with schoolteacher Florence LaRue, formed a singing collective initially called the Versatiles. They quickly caught the attention of singer Johnny Rivers, becoming the first act signed to his nascent Soul City Records label.
Rivers felt the name 'Versatiles' lacked contemporary flair. It was Townson who suggested the new moniker, The 5th Dimension, a title that perfectly captured the group's subtle infusion of psychedelic and hippy culture into their smooth pop and soul harmonies.
Grammy Success and Chart-Topping Hits
The group's breakthrough arrived in 1967 with their cover of The Mamas & the Papas' song, Go Where You Wanna Go. That same year, they released the Jimmy Webb-penned classic, Up, Up and Away, which soared to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The track proved to be a monumental success, securing four Grammy Awards including the coveted Record of the Year.
The 5th Dimension achieved broad crossover appeal, amassing six Grammy Awards in total. They won Record of the Year a second time in 1969 for Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, a vibrant mashup of songs from the musical Hair. This iconic single dominated the charts, spending an impressive six consecutive weeks at number one on the pop charts.
A Lasting Legacy
LaMonte McLemore is survived by his wife of three decades, Mieko McLemore, his daughter Ciara, his son Darin, his sister Joan, and three grandchildren. His passing is mourned by fans worldwide, but his voice and the timeless music of The 5th Dimension ensure his artistic spirit will continue to resonate for generations to come.
