Today, September 17th is the birthday of LaMonte McLemore, his first birthday in heaven. He would have been 91 today…and knowing LaMonte, he is one busy angel, because his motto was: “We are only here to help one another.”
Some of you knew him as devoted fans of The 5th Dimension, or as his breathtaking former models for JET magazine’s Beauty of the Week feature. You may have been softball buddies. And each of you was always considered a friend because LaMonte would say, “I don’t make friends I don’t intend to keep!” For so many of us including his cherished family, “Mac” had the uncanny knack of seeing our truly unique gifts. He wouldn’t take no for an answer in making sure we fueled them with passion…gifts that became our offering to the world.
On behalf of his lovely wife Mieko, we say: “LaMonte, we miss you…but know your shining spirit is forever in our lives.”
—Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer LaMonte McLemore
Surely, it’s time for LaMonte to have his own Top 10 curated playlist. Press the player here, for non-stop musical memories. Including an exclusive glossary of the selections (below):
Forever 5th Dimension Exclusive Liner Notes:
- “A Love Like Ours,” co-written by LaMonte with Bob Alcivar, a top fan-favorite from the seminal PORTRAIT album, with the guys (Mac, Sweets & Billy) in full force for The 5th Dimension. “Wanting to be together yet wanting to be free” is the eternal theme.
- “Cease Fire,” written by LaMonte, a recent “viral hit” is his potent plea for peace. LaMonte provides the spoken-word intro & outro, the talented Julio Hanson sings lead.
- “Black Patch” is an all-time favorite masterpiece album cut written by Laura Nyro, from INDIDUALLY & COLLECTIVELY. It features LaMonte’s solo punctuating the panoramic party with a mischievous, full-out bass line singing, “With lipstick on the reefer, waiting for a match.” In his memoir “From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension” LaMonte laughs, “It’s my most notable recorded solo spot…and I never, ever smoked reefer!”
- The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson appearance of The 5th Dimension featuring Florence, Ron, LaMonte, Joyce Wright and Michael Procter. Wait for the medley from Broadway’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and LaMonte’s charming MC and solo moments. In his memoir Mac proudly stated about The 5th Dimension’s innovative touring with such a musical show, “It’s the hardest I ever worked on the road…we kept a true Broadway schedule! A rewarding experience.”
- “The Singer,” co-written by LaMonte with Elliot Willensky from The 5th Dimension’s LOVE’S LINES, ANGLES & RHYMES album is touchingly emoted with Billy in the lead. Mac shares, “Frank Sinatra strongly considered recording the tune, instead my dear friend Gladys Knight did a version with the Pips on the ALL I NEED IS TIME album.”
- Lamonte refers to The 5th Dimension’s “Ashes to Ashes” as a “turntable hit”…from the LIVING TOGETHER, GROWING TOGETHER album, it’s a song about changing times and ultimate forgiveness…themes near and dear to Mac. This is a staged performance as featured on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson providing the tune more “oomph” and social relevance.
- The Original 5th Dimension took part in many high-profile commercials, whether for radio jingles like Coca Cola or on TV for JELLO and Chevrolet. From ’69, this is LaMonte’s personal “Move Along with Me” favorite, where each member gets a spoken word part, too!
- A new entry on YouTube, The 5th Dimension, here consisting of Danny Miller Beard and Marjorie Barnes with Florence, Ron and LaMonte bring a mighty version of Melissa Mancheter’s “Just Too Many People.” LaMonte introduces the festivities taking us to church!
- And “Mac” is back again as our favorite preacher, “Brother Taylor,” in The Original 5th Dimension’s clever classic interpretation of “Ode to Billy Jo” with each member taking a character in the scenario as Marilyn narrates, musically. After all these years, we still all wait for LaMonte’s “Have mercy!”
- We conclude with LaMonte’s official Celebration of Life video. I had the honor to write, produce and announce this per Mieko’s request, and rather than be sad, we end with promise. LaMonte always had hope for a brighter day and wishes that for all who loved him…to make your dreams come true…with hard work…and blessings. Personally, I’ll never forget looking at Marilyn & Billy and Florence at Mac’s Celebration of Life this past February, watching this 6-minute video and responding with such joy to LaMonte’s milestones…and their own. Yes, it’s also “forever” when it comes to The 5th Dimension family.
–Curated by Robert-Allan Arno, Biographer, The Original 5th Dimension and LaMonte McLemore
Please see the profound video from Marilyn & Billy, honoring their relationship with LaMonte and his First Birthday in Heaven, at their social media @McCooDavis on Instagram
To Fans and Friends, The McLemore Family & Robert-Allan Arno thank you for your warm wishes upon LaMonte’s 1st Birthday in Heaven. LaMonte was proudly on the Board of Directors of the America to Africa Higher Education Foundation, which grants college scholarships to gifted but impoverished Nigerian students. In honor of his birthday, please stop by their website and consider making a tax-deductible contribution at the easy-to-use donation button. Mac would say, “We’re only in the world to help one another.” LINK: www.AmericatoAfricaHigherEducationFoundation.com
Sketch titled “The World of LaMonte” by Ephraim Udoka. Forever 5th Dimension by Arno, copyright 2008-2026, a production of The Soul of The Voice, Ltd., all rights reserved. Intellectual Property- may not be used without permission.
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