LaMonte McLemore, 5th Dimension Founder, Dies at 90

LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the Grammy-winning vocal group The 5th Dimension, died on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at his home in Las Vegas. He was 90 years old.

McLemore passed away from natural causes following a stroke he suffered several years earlier, according to a statement from his representative, Jeremy Westby. He was surrounded by family, including his wife of 30 years, Mieko McLemore, at the time of his death. The family announced the news the following day.

Born on September 17, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, McLemore built a multifaceted career that spanned music, photography, and athletics. After serving in the U.S. Navy as an aerial photographer, he briefly played professional baseball in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system, becoming one of the first African Americans to do so. He later settled in Southern California, where he pursued music and continued honing his photography skills.

In the early 1960s, McLemore sang in a jazz ensemble called the Hi-Fis alongside future bandmate Marilyn McCoo. The group opened for Ray Charles in 1963 before disbanding the next year. McLemore then co-founded The 5th Dimension in 1965 with McCoo, childhood friends Billy...