LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the Grammy-winning vocal group The 5th Dimension, died Tuesday at his home in Las Vegas. He was 90.
McLemore died of natural causes after suffering a stroke, surrounded by family. His representative Jeremy Westby confirmed the death on February 3, 2026.
With The 5th Dimension, McLemore helped define the sound of American pop and soul music in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group won six Grammy Awards, including record of the year twice — for “Up, Up and Away” in 1968 and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” in 1970. The latter spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the signature recordings of its generation.
McLemore provided the warm bass vocals that anchored the group’s sophisticated harmonies alongside Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue and Ron Townson. Together they created a polished, genre-blending sound that brought them broad crossover success with hits including “Wedding Bell Blues,” “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “One Less Bell to Answer.”
The group achieved remarkable commercial success, earning seven Gold albums and six Platinum singles. Their music blended elements of pop, soul and psychedelia, creating a distinctive style that resonated across demographic boundaries.
LaRue, one of the original members, remembered McLemore’s impact on the group and her life. “His cheerfulness and laughter often brought strength and refreshment to me in difficult times,” she said. “We were more like brother and sister than singing partners.”
Born September 17, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, McLemore’s path to musical stardom took several detours. He served in the U.S. Navy, where he worked as an aerial photographer. After his military service, he pursued a career in professional baseball, playing in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system.
McLemore eventually settled in Southern California, where he developed a parallel career as a photographer. His work appeared in numerous publications, including Jet magazine, where he captured images of sports figures and celebrities. Throughout his career with the group, McLemore maintained his photography work, which would later intersect with his musical career in unexpected ways.
In 1965, McLemore helped form a group called the Versatiles with McCoo, Davis Jr. and Townson. They later recruited LaRue, a schoolteacher McLemore met through his photography work. The group signed to Johnny Rivers’ label Soul City Records and changed their name to The 5th Dimension to better represent the cultural moment.
The group’s breakthrough came with Jimmy Webb’s “Up, Up and Away,” which won Grammy Awards and showcased the group’s ability to blend contemporary pop sensibilities with sophisticated vocal arrangements.
In 1968, The 5th Dimension scored hits with Laura Nyro compositions, including “Stoned Soul Picnic.” Nyro’s songwriting provided the group with material that highlighted their vocal prowess and musical versatility.
The peak of their commercial success came in 1969 with “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” a medley from the musical “Hair.” The recording dominated radio airwaves and earned the group their second record of the year Grammy Award. That same year, they performed at the Harlem Cultural Festival, an event that has since become known as the “Black Woodstock.”
The festival performance and The 5th Dimension’s role in it were chronicled in the 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul” directed by Questlove. The film brought renewed attention to the group’s musical legacy and their place in the cultural landscape of the 1960s.
McCoo and Davis Jr. paid tribute to their longtime collaborator. “All of us who knew and loved him will definitely miss his energy and wonderful sense of humor,” they said in a statement.
The group’s success came during a complex period in American race relations. As an all-Black group achieving mainstream success with white audiences, they faced criticism from some quarters about their sound and image. The tension between artistic expression and cultural expectations shaped their experience throughout their career.
Beyond their chart success, The 5th Dimension became fixtures on television variety shows and performed at prestigious venues including the White House. They embarked on international tours, including cultural exchanges organized by the State Department.
In 1991, the original lineup received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, cementing their place in entertainment history. The recognition acknowledged both their commercial success and their influence on American popular music.
McLemore continued performing with various iterations of The 5th Dimension until 2006. His departure marked the end of an era for the group, though they continued to perform with other members.
In 2014, McLemore co-authored an autobiography with Robert-Allan Arno. The book traced his journey from baseball to photography to music, offering insights into his varied career and the cultural changes he witnessed throughout his life.
McLemore is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mieko McLemore, daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
The 5th Dimension’s music continues to resonate with audiences decades after its initial release. Their blend of pop sophistication and soul authenticity created a sound that transcended musical categories and cultural boundaries, leaving a lasting imprint on American popular music.
