Legendary Soul Singer, LaMonte McLemore, Dead at 90

LaMonte McLemore, the warm bass voice behind some of the most iconic pop-soul hits of the late 1960s, has died at 90. He passed away Tuesday at his home in Las Vegas of natural causes, years after suffering a stroke.

McLemore helped launch The 5th Dimension, the group that blended sunshine pop, soul, and soaring harmonies into era-defining songs like “Up, Up and Away,” “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In,” and “Wedding Bell Blues.” Their sound became a cultural soundtrack, and their success was massive. The 5th Dimension scored two Grammys for record of the year and held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for six straight weeks with “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.”

Fans loved McLemore not just for his low, steady vocals but for his calm presence. Group member Florence LaRue said he brought cheer wherever he went. “LaMonte really knew my prescription,” she said. “His laughter brought me strength in difficult times. His absence has shown me just how much he meant to me.”

Born in St. Louis in 1935, McLemore’s life stretched far beyond music. He served in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographer, pitched in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system, and later became an acclaimed photographer whose work appeared in Jet, Ebony, Harper’s Bazaar, Playboy, and People. He photographed celebrities, athletes, and cultural legends for decades.

His path back to music began during a photo shoot at a Miss Black Beauty Pageant, where he first met Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue. In 1965, they formed The Versatiles, which rebranded a year later as The 5th Dimension. The group went on to tour the world, star on nearly every major TV variety show of the time, and even represent America on a State Department cultural mission behind the Iron Curtain.

McCoo remembered how generous he was in those early days. “LaMonte loved music and always made his studio available to us before the hits,” she said.

His story was chronicled in his 2014 autobiography, From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension, a look back at his remarkable journey through baseball, photography, and music.

McLemore is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mieko; his daughter, Ciara; his adopted son, Darin; his sister, Joan; and three grandchildren.

He often said his life philosophy was simple: help others, and make them smile. “If I can see the greatness in others and help propel them to excellence, I wake up each day a happy man,” he said.