LaMonte McLemore, whose rich baritone helped shape the sound of one of America’s most beloved vocal groups, The 5th Dimension, has died at the age of 90. McLemore passed away on February 3, 2026, at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family. He succumbed to natural causes after suffering a stroke, closing a remarkable life that spanned music, photography, athletics, and cultural influence.
Born September 17, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, McLemore’s early years hinted at a life lived across genres and disciplines. After attending Charles H. Sumner High School, he served in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographer—a role that foreshadowed his dual passions for art and observation. He later played briefly in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ minor league baseball system before ultimately settling in Southern California.
Music was never far from McLemore’s path. During the early 1960s, he sang in a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fi’s, where he worked alongside future 5th Dimension bandmate Marilyn McCoo. Their early group opened for Ray Charles, a formative experience that crystallized McLemore’s belief in the power of harmony and connection.
In 1965, McLemore brought together a constellation of talent—childhood friends Billy Davis Jr. and Ron Townson, jazz singer Marilyn McCoo, and schoolteacher Florence LaRue—to form a new group initially called the Versatiles. Under the guidance of singer-producer Johnny Rivers and rebranded as The 5th Dimension, the ensemble quickly became one of the most innovative and successful acts of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Their music was a mosaic of styles: pop, soul, R&B, and a touch of psychedelia that reflected the cultural upheavals of the era. The 5th Dimension racked up six Grammy Awards, including two for Record of the Year with “Up, Up and Away” and the epoch-defining “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” which topped the charts for six weeks and remains a defining anthem of its time.
McLemore’s contributions extended beyond his vocal prowess. He co-wrote songs and provided steadiness behind the scenes for a band that became a crossover phenomenon—an act that resonated with audiences across racial and cultural lines at a moment when America itself was grappling with seismic change.
Parallel to his music career, McLemore developed a prolific second life as a photographer. His images appeared in Jet, Ebony, Harper’s Bazaar, Playboy, and People, and he became known for capturing not just celebrities, but moments of Black beauty and everyday grace. He was one of the first Black photographers at Harper’s Bazaar and shaped visual culture in ways that matched his impact on sound.
Though the original 5th Dimension lineup evolved and dispersed by the mid-1970s, their legacy endured. The group left an indelible imprint on American music, and McLemore’s voice—warm, faithful, and deeply human—served as its foundation.
McLemore is survived by his wife, Mieko McLemore, their children Ciara and Darin, his sister Joan, and three grandchildren. His life was a testament to the transformative power of creativity, resilience, and community—a legacy that, much like the uplifting harmonies he helped forge, will continue to uplift future generations.
