LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the 5th Dimension, has died at 90. A singer, arranger and accomplished photographer, McLemore helped shape the sound and image of one of the era’s most distinctive vocal groups while quietly building a second career behind the lens.
A life in two parts
Born in St. Louis on Sept. 17, 1935, McLemore’s path combined discipline, athleticism and artistic curiosity. He trained as an aerial photographer during Navy service, briefly played in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system, and eventually settled in Southern California. Those early experiences — technical training, an athlete’s focus and an eye for composition — later informed both his music and his photography.
Music and fame
In the mid-1960s McLemore joined with Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Ron Townson and Florence LaRue to form the 5th Dimension. Signed to Soul City Records, the quintet blended pop, soul and ambitious arrangements into a polished, radio-friendly sound. Their breakout came with a rendition that showcased their tight harmonies and led to the multi-Grammy success of “Up, Up and Away.” The group’s medley “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” became another massive hit, propelling them into national television, big-stage bookings and sustained popularity through the late 1960s and early 1970s.
At the 10th Grammy Awards the 5th Dimension captured four trophies across performance and production categories — a sweep that cemented their standing in popular music and drew renewed attention from critics, filmmakers and cultural historians eager to place the group within a broader musical and social context.
A parallel career in photography
While the group recorded and toured, McLemore pursued photography professionally. His Navy-honed technical skills translated into striking compositions and confident lighting choices. He photographed athletes, entertainers and celebrities for national magazines, and his images later featured in retrospectives alongside his musical legacy. Colleagues remember him as a meticulous technician who brought the same precision to a camera as he did to vocal arrangements.
Personality and legacy
Bandmates and collaborators have recalled McLemore’s quick wit, steady energy and warm presence on tour — qualities that helped maintain morale through long schedules and lineup changes. When Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. left to form a duo, McLemore and the remaining members kept the 5th Dimension onstage and in the studios, adapting to changing circumstances while preserving the group’s signature sound.
Survivors and remembrance
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. Tributes poured in from former bandmates, peers and fans, and cultural institutions and archivists are beginning to catalog his photographs and recordings to preserve his contributions. Family and collaborators have indicated they will hold private commemorations and continue archival work to ensure his legacy endures.
Why it matters
LaMonte McLemore’s story is one of craft across mediums: a percussion of technical skill and creative collaboration that left mark on American pop and visual culture. Whether supplying a vocal part that lifted a chorus or composing a frame that captured a singular moment, he helped build a bridge between practical expertise and expressive artistry — a legacy now being collected by historians, fans and those who worked with him.