LaMonte McLemore, Founding Singer With the 5th Dimension, Dies at 90

LaMonte McLemore, the founding member and baritone singer of the legendary vocal group The 5th Dimension, passed away on February 4, 2025, at his home in Las Vegas at the age of 90. His death marks the loss of a pivotal figure in American music who helped define the "champagne soul" sound of the 1960s and 70s, bridging the gap between pop, jazz, and R&B. Family members confirmed that McLemore died of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy that includes six Grammy Awards and a significant impact on the landscape of popular music during the hippie era. McLemore was instrumental in forming The 5th Dimension in 1965, originally under the name The Versatiles, alongside members like Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. The group eventually caught the attention of Motown founder Berry Gordy through McLemore’s industry connections, but it was their partnership with songwriter Jimmy Webb that catapulted them to international stardom. Their signature hits, such as "Up, Up and Away," became anthems of optimism, while their Medley: "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" from the musical *Hair* topped the charts for weeks, symbolizing the burgeoning counterculture movement. Beyond his vocal contributions, McLemore was a multifaceted creative who balanced a successful music career with a high-profile professional photography business. He famously photographed the first African American woman to appear in *Playboy* and worked extensively for *Jet* and *Ebony* magazines. This visual sensibility likely contributed to the sophisticated, polished image the group projected, which allowed them to cross over into mainstream television and headline venues usually reserved for white performers during the Civil Rights era. In his later years, McLemore remained a respected elder statesman of the music industry, often reflecting on how The 5th Dimension’s unique sound refused to be pigeonholed by race or genre. His autobiography, *From Hobo to Hollywood*, detailed his journey from humble beginnings in St. Louis to the heights of musical fame. He is remembered by colleagues and fans alike as a gentleman whose smooth baritone and visionary aesthetic helped shape the sound of an entire generation.