LaMonte McLemore, founding member of the 5th Dimension, RIP

LaMonte McLemore, the bass voice behind some of the most joyful pop music of the late 1960s, has died at 90. He passed away Tuesday at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by family, after suffering a stroke, reports the Guardian.

McLemore co-founded the 5th Dimension, whose sunny blend of pop, soul, and a touch of psychedelia produced six Grammy wins — including record of the year twice. Their 1967 hit "Up, Up and Away," written by Jimmy Webb, won four Grammys alone. Two years later, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In," a medley from the musical Hair, spent six weeks at No. 1.

The group's name came from founding member Ronald Towson after their label, Soul City Records, told them their original name, the Versatiles, wasn't current enough. The "5th Dimension" evoked the psychedelia and counterculture they were already embracing in their sound.

Before the music, McLemore had an eclectic career: an aerial photographer in the Navy, a minor league baseball player in the Dodgers' farm system, and a sports and celebrity photographer whose work appeared in Jet magazine. That parallel career in photography continued even as the 5th Dimension was filling arenas.

He is survived by his wife, Mieko; two children; a sister; and three grandchildren.

Here's a documentary about The 5th Dimension.

Previously:
• The enduring beauty of Jimmy Webb's "Wichita Lineman" and one of the greatest musical couplets ever written