**23. LaMonte McLemore**
LaMonte McLemore, the smooth bassist and founding member of the iconic R&B group The 5th Dimension, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2026, at age 90. Anyone over 40 who remembers the uplifting harmonies of “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” or danced at weddings to their timeless classics will feel this as the quiet close of a golden chapter in American music.
McLemore’s deep voice and stylish presence helped propel The 5th Dimension to massive success in the late ’60s and ’70s, earning multiple Grammy Awards and crossing racial and generational boundaries. Their elegant fusion of pop, soul, and jazz became the soundtrack for an optimistic era. He remained active in music and photography long after the group’s peak. His legacy lives on in every uplifting chorus that still plays at celebrations and brings smiles to faces of all ages.
