Las Vegas — LaMonte McLemore, the visionary bass vocalist and a founding member of the seminal 1960s and ’70s pop and soul group The 5th Dimension, passed away on Tuesday at his Las Vegas home. He was 90. McLemore’s death came after a stroke and was confirmed by his representative, Jeremy Westby, who noted he was surrounded by family at the time of his passing.
McLemore’s contributions to The 5th Dimension helped vault the group to international stardom, marked by a remarkable blend of pop, soul, and psychedelic influences. Throughout their career, the group garnered six Grammy Awards, including the coveted Record of the Year accolade twice; first for their upbeat anthem “Up, Up and Away” in 1967, and later for the iconic “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” in 1969, a medley from the musical “Hair” that topped the charts for six weeks.
“Up, Up and Away,” a signature song written by Jimmy Webb, not only reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 but also encapsulated the optimistic zeitgeist of the late 1960s with its buoyant melody and imaginative appeal, earning the group four Grammy Awards.
Beyond these notable successes, The 5th Dimension amassed an impressive collection of seven gold albums and six platinum singles, marking their permanent legacy in the annals of music history with classics like “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” and “One Less Bell to Answer.”
Born on September 17, 1935, in St. Louis, McLemore’s life before music was as diverse as the hits he later produced. Following a stint in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographer, he dabbled in professional baseball within the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system before making a pivotal move to Southern California.
There, McLemore refined his dual skills in photography and music. He sang with Marilyn McCoo in the jazz ensemble The Hi-Fi’s, which opened for Ray Charles in 1963. The ensemble disbanded a year later, setting the stage for McLemore’s next venture.
In 1965, McLemore, alongside McCoo, childhood friends Billy Davis Jr., Ronald Towson, and Florence LaRue, formed a group initially called The Versatiles. After signing with Soul City Records, the group, under the guidance of founder Johnny Rivers, adopted the more contemporary moniker, The 5th Dimension, which Towson suggested to echo the era’s psychedelic and countercultural vibes.
Their breakthrough came swiftly with the cover of The Mamas & the Papas’ “Go Where You Wanna Go,” positioning them as a critical force in the blend of sophisticated harmonies and polished production that set them apart during a transformative cultural era.
McLemore also maintained a parallel career as a respected sports and celebrity photographer, regularly featured in Jet magazine. His creative versatility was evident both in his photography and in the deep resonances of his bass vocals that characterized many of The 5th Dimension’s harmonies.
His legacy transcends the numerous hits; it also includes the role The 5th Dimension played at the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, celebrated decades later in the 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul.” Fellow band member Florence LaRue reflected on McLemore’s enduring impact, stating, “His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times. We were more like brother and sister than singing partners.”
McLemore’s family, including his wife of 30 years, Mieko, his children, Ciara and Darin, his sister Joan, and three grandchildren, mourns his loss. The details of memorial services or a celebration of life are pending.
The voices of the original The 5th Dimension continue to resonate, capturing a unique moment when music transcended racial and cultural barriers, celebrating an era of melodious euphoria and harmony which McLemore significantly helped craft. His life’s work across diverse artistic fields underscores his profound commitment to creativity, leaving a lasting impact on music and beyond.