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LaMonte McLemore, Founding Member of The 5th Dimension, Dies at 90

His family says he died of natural causes at his Las Vegas home after a stroke years earlier.

Overview

  • Representative Jeremy Westby confirmed McLemore died Tuesday at his Las Vegas residence at age 90, with family present.
  • McLemore co-founded The 5th Dimension with Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Florence LaRue and Ron Townson, contributing signature bass vocals.
  • The group won multiple Grammys, including Record of the Year for “Up, Up and Away” in 1968 and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” in 1970, with the latter spending six weeks at No. 1.
  • He sustained a parallel career as a photographer with work published in Jet, Ebony and Harper’s Bazaar, following earlier service as a Navy aerial photographer and a stint in the Dodgers’ farm system.
  • Bandmates shared affectionate tributes to his spirit and generosity, survivors include his wife Mieko, daughter Ciara, son Darin, sister Joan and three grandchildren, and a memorial will be announced later.