LaMonte McLemore, singer and founding member of The 5th Dimension, dead at 90

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LaMonte McLemore, the Voice Behind the Iconic 5th Dimension Hits, Passes Away at 90

When LaMonte McLemore sang with The 5th Dimension in the 1960s and '70s, he embodied a unique blend of pop, soul, and psychedelia that captured the hearts of millions. With his rich bass voice and versatility as a singer, photographer, and sports enthusiast, McLemore played a pivotal role in shaping the group's sound and style.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, McLemore served in the US Navy before pursuing a career in music. He worked as an aerial photographer for Jet magazine and also played baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers' farm system. His experiences in these different fields helped shape his artistic vision and laid the foundation for his success with The 5th Dimension.

In 1963, McLemore met Marilyn McCoo through his photography work, and they formed a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fi's. After parting ways, they later teamed up with Billy Davis Jr. and Ronald Towson to form The Versatiles. Florence LaRue, whom McLemore had met through his photography, completed the lineup.

The group signed to Johnny Rivers' Soul City Records in 1965, changing their name to The 5th Dimension to better reflect their cultural context. Their breakthrough hit came in 1967 with "Go Where You Wanna Go," followed by the Jimmy Webb-penned "Up, Up and Away." This song won four Grammys, including record of the year, best contemporary single, and best performance by a vocal group.

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, The 5th Dimension continued to top the charts with hits like "Stoned Soul Picnic," "Sweet Blindness," and "(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All." McLemore's distinctive voice added depth and emotion to these songs.

In addition to his music career, McLemore was a renowned photographer. His work appeared in magazines such as Jet, showcasing his talent behind the lens. When he wasn't making music or taking pictures, McLemore enjoyed playing baseball and exploring new artistic horizons.

LaMonte McLemore passed away on Tuesday at 90, surrounded by family. He died after suffering a stroke, but his legacy lives on through the countless hits he contributed to with The 5th Dimension. His impact on the music industry is undeniable, inspiring future generations of artists and fans alike.

As his fellow group members Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo noted in a statement, McLemore will be deeply missed for his boundless energy and wonderful sense of humor. His dedication to his craft and his commitment to his family are testaments to the enduring power of his artistry.
 
RIP LaMonte McLemore 🙏😢 what an amazing legacy he leaves behind, 90 years young! I'm literally shook thinking about all the iconic hits with The 5th Dimension 💃🕺 "Up, Up and Away" still gives me chills every time I listen to it ❤️ his story is truly inspiring, from being a US Navy vet to becoming a music icon 🚀💫 he was more than just a singer, he was a photographer, baseball player... what an incredible well-rounded person 😊 rest in peace, your music will live on forever 💖
 
😔 90 years old is still really young but it's sad to see LaMonte McLemore go, he was one of those talented guys who had so many different strings to his bow. I mean, singing with The 5th Dimension and then going on to do photography work... that's just so cool. And his sense of humor, apparently, was boundless too 🤣. It's always sad when someone passes away, but at least we can look back at all the amazing music he made with The 5th Dimension 💃🏽.
 
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." 🏆 - The mere loss of LaMonte McLemore at 90 is a reminder that we are all on a journey, and every moment counts
 
Wow 🤯! Can you believe LaMonte McLemore was 90? He had such an incredible run with The 5th Dimension, it's crazy he was still making hits at that age. I mean, "Up, Up and Away" is like a classic, you know? And his photography skills were on point too 📸. He must've been so talented to have done both music and pics for Jet magazine. What a legend!
 
😔 90 years young is still super old, you feel? I mean, LaMonte McLemore was basically a music legend in my grandparents' lifetime. It's wild to think about how much music has changed since he was his age. He had that iconic bass voice, which added so much depth to The 5th Dimension's sound, and he was such a talented photographer too. I love how his experiences as an aerial photographer and baseball player influenced his artistic vision. It's like he had so many passions and talents, and yet he still managed to find time for music. His legacy is definitely going to be felt for generations to come - those songs he sang on are still getting played today! 🎵💫
 
omg just read about la monte mclemore passing away at 90 🤯 that's like forever!!! i'm so sad he was an iconic part of my fave band The 5th Dimension their songs are still played in school dances and parties lol i love how he was a photographer too, can you imagine the sick shots he must've taken behind the lens? 📸 anyway, his legacy lives on through his music and family so that's something to be grateful for 💕
 
🤣 90 years young and still singing like a dream 🎶. I mean, LaMonte McLemore lived a life that was truly one for the books - aerial photographer, baseball pro, jazz enthusiast, and soulful voice behind some of the most iconic hits of all time! It's wild to think he was taking pics for Jet mag while his group was killing it on the charts 📸💥. Anyways, sad news, but I guess you could say his legacy is still "up, up and away" 😊. Time flies when you're having this much fun 🕰️!
 
🌟 just heard about LaMonte McLemore's passing at 90 🤕. It's crazy that someone so talented is gone. He was part of an era when music, fashion, and photography were all blending together in amazing ways. The 5th Dimension's hits still hold up today - "Up, Up and Away" is like a time machine to the '60s. McLemore's legacy will be felt for sure, but it's also a reminder that nothing lasts forever 💔
 
Just found out about LaMonte McLemore 🤯😢 what a legend he was! I mean, 90 years young is crazy to begin with, but still can't believe he's gone 💔. The 5th Dimension has so many iconic hits that never get old – "Up, Up and Away" is like my all-time fave song 🎵. McLemore's voice added such depth and soul to their music... it's crazy to think about who he was behind the scenes too - aerial photographer? Baseball player? That guy was a Renaissance man 💥! Anyway, I'm gonna miss hearing his iconic vocals on old-school jams, but his legacy will live on forever 🙏. Rest in peace, LaMonte McLemore 😌
 
RIP LaMonte McLemore 😞 he was an icon and I'm so grateful for the music he left behind 🎶 "Up, Up and Away" still gives me chills every time 👻 those 5th Dimension harmonies are just the best 🙌 90 is amazing though... I wish more people got to experience life that long 😊
 
Wow 😍 LaMonte McLemore's legacy is so cool! I mean, who wouldn't want to be part of that psychedelic 60s vibe? He was like a Renaissance man - singer, photographer, baseball player... what an amazing mix of talents 🤯 Interesting how his photography work helped him meet Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue too 💕
 
man 😔 90 years young and still making waves... it's crazy how time flies, isn't it? 🕰️ like we're just a moment away from passing into the unknown, and yet LaMonte McLemore was still singing, still creating, till the very end 🎶. what is it about human existence that makes us keep pushing forward, despite the inevitability of our own mortality? does it have something to do with leaving behind a piece of ourselves, a legacy that outlives our physical form? 🤔
 
man that's sad news 🤕 laMonte McLemore lived an amazing life, he was more than just a singer he was a photographer, athlete, and artist all rolled into one 💥 i mean can you imagine being able to do what he did? i think we're gonna miss him but his music is still out there so we can keep enjoying it 🎵 and who knows maybe his legacy will inspire some new generation of artists or musicians 👀
 
😢 just heard about LaMonte McLemore's passing 🙏 he was an icon in music & beyond, loved how he blended pop, soul, & psychedelia to create something truly special 🎶 his legacy lives on through The 5th Dimension's hits like "Up, Up and Away" & "Stoned Soul Picnic" 💫 it's crazy he lived to be 90 tho! 🤯 what an inspiration to all the artists out there 👏
 
man he lived a crazy life 🤯, from being an aerial photographer to playing baseball for the dodgers farm team... i love how he was all about pursuing multiple passions and it really paid off in his music career 💕. 90 is old but you can tell he still had that spark when he sang with the 5th dimension - their harmonies are just iconic 🎶. any way, it's sad to see him go but his legacy lives on through all those amazing songs and i'm sure his family will miss him 💔.
 
I don't usually comment but I just had to say something about LaMonte McLemore passing away at 90... 🙏 he was such an iconic voice in music history, you know? The 5th Dimension hits like "Go Where You Wanna Go" and "Up, Up and Away" are still played on the radio today! I remember my grandma used to love their songs and she would always say they were so catchy. McLemore's bass voice was just something else... he had this deep soulful sound that added so much depth to those songs 🎶. I think it's awesome how his photography work also intersected with his music career - the guy was a true Renaissance man! 😊
 
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