Up, Up and Away: The 5th Dimension Founder, LaMonte McLemore, Talks His Life and His Book, From Hobo Flats to the 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music
LaMonte McLemore is the founder of the Grammy winning musical group The 5th Dimension. The group rose to fame in the 1960s with classic hits including Up-Up and Away, Stoned Soul Picnic and Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In. Though retired from touring and performing, LaMonte is still working on music today. He hopes his latest song, Cease Fire, will be used in peace marches around the world.
Mr. McLemore, remarkably, is far more than an award winning musician, as if that is not enough. He has had a long and noteworthy career as a photographer. He was also signed to a major league baseball farm team, in his youth.
In photography, Mr. McLemore was one of the individuals who contributed to the early days of African American celebrity media. Along with a partner, he founded a publication called Elegant, featuring rich and famous African Americans. After the magazine folded, he joined with Jet Magazine and for 50 years was the photographer for Jet’s Beauty of the Week feature. The Grammy winner would go on to work with Playboy, Ebony and other publications as well.
Finally, his dream was always to be a baseball player. After signing a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, he fell out of a car. The accident ended his chance to play in the Major Leagues.
Some of us believe we should focus on one thing in life and be the best at that. LaMonte’s goal was to focus on three things because his grandmother told him that was the way to go. In effect, she laid out a template for him that taught him to have back up plans. His grandmother’s teaching helped him mold his life.
You can read about LaMonte McLemore’s life in his book, From Hobo Flats to the 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music. From opening for Frank Sinatra with The 5th Dimension to witnessing the early days of Stevie Wonder and The Supremes, Mr. McLemore has done much and seen much. His book reminds us that there are 24 hours in a day and we can all accomplish a lot, in a variety of areas.
You can read the highlights and listen to the entire CYInterview below:
Listen to the entire LaMonte McLemore CYInterview:
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One Reply to “Up, Up and Away: The 5th Dimension Founder, LaMonte McLemore, Talks His Life and His Book, From Hobo Flats to the 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music”
One Reply to “Up, Up and Away: The 5th Dimension Founder, LaMonte McLemore, Talks His Life and His Book, From Hobo Flats to the 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography and Music”
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