LaMonte McLemore, an instrumental figure in the world of soul music and a renowned celebrity and sports photographer, has passed away at the age of 90. His family made this announcement on Wednesday, marking the end of a remarkable era for both music and photography enthusiasts.
McLemore’s departure on Tuesday took place at his residence in Las Vegas, where he was lovingly surrounded by his family and his wife of three decades. His publicist confirmed that he succumbed to natural causes, following complications from a stroke he had suffered several years prior.
The musical journey of The 5th Dimension began in 1966, with McLemore joining forces with Florence LaRue, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., and Ron Townson. This ensemble of friends and fellow musicians had been harmonizing together under various group names since the early 1960s, but it was their formation as The 5th Dimension that truly resonated with audiences.
McLemore’s rich bass provided the foundation for the group’s harmonious sound, propelling their songs to become emblematic of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their music, which captured the spirit of the era, became an essential part of the cultural soundtrack.
Their breakthrough hit came in 1967 with the Mamas & the Papas’ song “Go Where You Wanna Go,” while “Up, Up and Away,” released later that year, sent their sound soaring and their Billboard status with it.
The group’s success was underscored by their ascent on the Billboard Hot 100, where one of their hits reached No. 7. This achievement was further cemented by winning several Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Best Contemporary Single, Best Performance by a Vocal Group, and Best Contemporary Group Performance.
Among their most cherished hits was the medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” derived from the musical “Hair.” This track captivated audiences and maintained the No. 1 position on Billboard for six consecutive weeks in 1969, earning a Grammy for Record of the Year in 1970.
Among scores of other favorites were “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” and “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All.”
In all, the group recorded seven gold albums and six platinum RIAA-certified singles, selling 25 million records and scoring 22 Top 40 hits. That and six Grammy Awards put them into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003. The original group was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1991.
The 5th Dimension was brought to the big screen in the 2021 documentary “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” director Questlove’s Oscar-winning portrait of the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival featuring never-before-aired footage.
Prior to co-founding The 5th Dimension, McLemore spent time in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographer, which later led to a parallel career behind the camera, photographing celebrities, models and sports figures. His work appeared for decades in magazines including Jet, Ebony, Playboy and People.
According to The History Makers, he was the first African American photographer hired by Harper’s Bazaar and was chosen to shoot Stevie Wonder’s debut album cover.
A gifted athlete, McLemore also briefly played baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system before focusing on music and photography full-time.
In 2014, McLemore published his autobiography, “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography, and Music.” He also served on the board of the nonprofit America to Africa Higher Education Foundation, which supports students attending Nigerian Universities.
McLemore is survived by his wife, Mieko McLemore, his daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan, and three grandchildren.
With News Wire Services
