LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the acclaimed vocal group The 5th Dimension, has died at the age of 90. McLemore passed away on March 5, 2024, at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family. His representative, Jeremy Westby, confirmed that he died of natural causes following a stroke.
The 5th Dimension gained immense popularity during the 1960s and 1970s, known for their unique blend of pop, soul, and psychedelia. They achieved remarkable crossover success, winning six Grammy Awards and producing iconic hits such as “Up, Up and Away” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.” The latter spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of their most enduring songs.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 5, 1933, McLemore’s journey began in the Navy, where he served as an aerial photographer. After his military service, he pursued a career in music, showcasing his warm bass voice in various ensembles. He first sang with the Hi-Fi’s, a jazz group that included future bandmate Marilyn McCoo.
In 1963, the Hi-Fi’s opened for renowned artist Ray Charles, although the group disbanded shortly after. McLemore, along with McCoo and childhood friends Billy Davis Jr. and Ronald Towson, formed a new group called the Versatiles. They later welcomed Florence LaRue, a schoolteacher McLemore met through his photography, to complete the ensemble.
In 1965, under the guidance of singer Johnny Rivers, the group signed with Soul City Records and changed their name to The 5th Dimension. Their breakout hit came in 1967 with the Mamas & the Papas’ song “Go Where You Wanna Go,” followed by the chart-topping “Up, Up and Away.” The song not only reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 but also earned four Grammy Awards, underscoring their rising prominence in the music scene.
The following years saw The 5th Dimension release several more hits, including Laura Nyro’s “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Sweet Blindness.” Their commercial peak arrived in 1969 with “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” which garnered two additional Grammys.
The group also made history by performing at the Harlem Cultural Festival, an event now dubbed the “Black Woodstock.” Their participation was highlighted in Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s acclaimed 2021 documentary, “Summer of Soul.” Notably, The 5th Dimension achieved a rare level of success among predominantly white audiences during a time of significant racial tensions in the United States.
Despite their success, McCoo reflected on the challenges the group faced regarding their identity. “We were constantly being attacked because we weren’t, quote, unquote, ‘Black enough,’” she stated in the documentary. “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.”
The 5th Dimension continued to produce hit songs throughout the 1970s, including “One Less Bell to Answer” and “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All.” They became regulars on television variety shows and even performed at the White House, showcasing their appeal across various demographic lines.
The original lineup of The 5th Dimension remained intact until 1975 when McCoo and Davis departed to pursue solo careers. In a joint statement, McCoo and Davis expressed their sorrow over McLemore’s passing, stating, “All of us who knew and loved him will definitely miss his energy and wonderful sense of humor.”
LaRue also shared her heartfelt sentiments, noting that McLemore’s “cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times. We were more like brother and sister than singing partners.”
LaMonte McLemore’s legacy as a pioneering artist and a cherished friend leaves an indelible mark on the music industry and the hearts of those who knew him.
