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Racine Today
By the People, for the People
LaMonte McLemore, Founding Singer With the 5th Dimension, Dies at 90
His group notched smooth hippie-era hits like 'Up, Up and Away' and 'The Age of Aquarius' in embracing a genre-blurring sound they called 'champagne soul.'
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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LaMonte McLemore, a founding member of the 5th Dimension, the sleek, genre-blurring vocal quintet whose soaring Top 10 hits 'Up, Up and Away' and 'Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In' became carefree anthems of hippie-era idealism, died on Feb. 3 at his home in Las Vegas. He was 90. The 5th Dimension was a commercial force, notching 20 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart from 1969 to 1972, including seven in the Top 10s and two chart toppers: 'Aquarius' and 'Wedding Bell Blues.'
Why it matters
The 5th Dimension's smooth, genre-blending sound and hits like 'Up, Up and Away' and 'Aquarius' became emblematic of the carefree, optimistic spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s. As one of the founding members, LaMonte McLemore's passing marks the end of an era for the influential vocal group.
The details
McLemore co-founded the 5th Dimension in 1965 with friends Ron Townson and Billy Davis Jr., later bringing in Marilyn McCoo and Florence LaRue. The group's sound incorporated elements of R&B, jazz, easy listening and even light opera, creating a 'champagne soul' blend that led to critical barbs about not being 'Black enough.' However, McLemore maintained that the group's widespread appeal was intentional, as they 'wanted to do something fresh, and bring all people together' with their unique harmonies and positive messages.
- LaMonte McLemore died on February 3, 2026.
- McLemore suffered a stroke in 2019 that deteriorated his health.
The players
LaMonte McLemore
A founding member of the 5th Dimension vocal group, known for their smooth, genre-blending hits like 'Up, Up and Away' and 'Aquarius.'
Ron Townson
A founding member of the 5th Dimension along with McLemore and Billy Davis Jr.
Billy Davis Jr.
A founding member of the 5th Dimension along with McLemore and Townson.
Marilyn McCoo
A member of the 5th Dimension who later pursued a solo career with her husband Billy Davis Jr.
Florence LaRue
A member of the 5th Dimension who continued with the group after McCoo and Davis left.
What they’re saying
“We were constantly being attacked because we weren't 'Black enough.' Sometimes we were called the Black group with the white sound, and we didn't like that. Our voices sound the way they sound. How do you color a sound?”
— Marilyn McCoo
“We wanted to do something fresh, and bring all people together — the kids, the parents, the grandparents — with unique harmonies and positive messages.”
— LaMonte McLemore
The takeaway
The 5th Dimension's smooth, genre-blending sound and uplifting hits like 'Up, Up and Away' and 'Aquarius' became emblematic of the optimistic spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s. As a founding member, LaMonte McLemore's passing marks the end of an era for the influential vocal group that brought together diverse audiences with their unique 'champagne soul' style.
