Home / Arts and Entertainment / 5th Dimension Star LaMonte McLemore Dies at 90
5th Dimension Star LaMonte McLemore Dies at 90
5 Feb
Summary
- LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of The 5th Dimension, passed away at age 90.
- The influential group achieved massive success with hits like 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In'.
- McLemore had a diverse career before music, including Navy service and minor league baseball.
LaMonte McLemore, a foundational member of the iconic vocal group The 5th Dimension, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 90. His representative announced that McLemore died at his residence in Las Vegas due to natural causes, following a recent stroke.
The 5th Dimension, celebrated for their blend of pop and soul, rose to prominence in the late 1960s. Their distinctive sound produced enduring hits, including the 1967 chart-topper 'Up, Up and Away' and the 1969 mega-hit 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,' which dominated the Billboard charts for six weeks. The group continued to deliver successful singles throughout the 1970s, such as 'One Less Bell to Answer' and '(Last Night) I Didn't Get to Sleep at All'.
McLemore's path to music was unconventional. A native of St. Louis, he first served in the Navy as a photographer. He also pursued a brief career in professional baseball within the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization before dedicating himself to music in the early 1960s. Prior to The 5th Dimension, he was part of a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fi's alongside future bandmate Marilyn McCoo.
Fellow 5th Dimension members expressed their grief and shared fond memories of McLemore. Billy Davis Jr. and Marilyn McCoo described him as having "wonderful sense of humor," while Florence LaRue recalled his "cheerfulness and laughter" providing strength. LaRue also noted their close bond, stating they were "more like brother and sister than singing partners."
