Book Description

LaMonte McLemore, founder of vocal group legends The 5th Dimension, has been described as the music industry's "bronze Clark Gable." The six-time Grammy award-winning visionary not only delivered "The 5th's" elegantly hip Champagne Soul as the quintet's smooth bass for over forty years, but is also known for his five decades with JET magazine, as the head-turning photographer for the enticing "Beauty of the Week" feature. LaMonte shares the secrets behind mega-hits like "Up-Up and Away," "Stoned Soul Picnic" and "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In," anthems for a generation which uplifted our country during tumultuous times. He also goes deep for the fans and provides exclusive commentary on The 5th Dimension discography, spotlighting such favorites as "Wedding Bell Blues," "One Less Bell to Answer," "A Love Like Ours," "Love Hangover," "Black Patch," plus albums like the iconic "Magic Garden," the seminal "Portrait," and the mysterious "Earthbound." The journey to becoming one of the most popular singing groups of The Rock n' Roll era--one that crossed over racial, generational and record chart boundaries--came by way of "Hobo Flats," where "Mac" and friends hung their resourceful hats and dreamed big. His Cherokee Grandma's feisty wisdom was a guiding force that weaves throughout the book, the catalyst for LaMonte's various trailblazing exploits. Mr. McLemore, who played baseball in the Dodgers Farm system, hits a home run presenting a memoir peppered with tasty anecdotes about countless celebrity colleagues from Frank Sinatra to Diana Ross, Ray Charles to Pharrell Williams. There's even a secret recipe! Mac's love of women is also explored, with sensitivity and a classy wink. The memoir's twelve chapters unfold authentically "in LaMonte's voice;" nobody presents a story like the well-known raconteur. Running the gamut from heartwarming slang to sophisticated savvy, the book's style easily reflects the celebrity's earliest humble roots yet wondrous trajectory to stardom on the world stage. With recommendations by Johnny Mathis, Nancy Sinatra, Neil Sedaka and Otis Williams of The Temptations, "From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension" is a literary work as told to Robert-Allan Arno, a New York-based media personality who is a trusted expert in "all things 5th Dimension." The book contains an exhilarating 50-photo centerfold of rare and/or never-before-seen pictures from Mr. McLemore's personal collection, as well as a detailed album and singles Discography appendix of The 5th Dimension. An inspiring, historic tale of unbridled humor and touching pathos, in "From Hobo Flats to The 5th Dimension: A Life Fulfilled in Baseball, Photography, and Music," LaMonte McLemore doesn't quit until he makes you laugh...and think. *****Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr. say, "LaMonte's special brand of humor, which we've enjoyed through all the years we've known him, is truly on display in FROM HOBO FLATS TO THE 5TH DIMENSION. He has a way with storytelling, and we've particularly enjoyed re-living our successes and travels as seen through his eyes. But he also lets the reader in on his deeper thoughts...he always had definite opinions about what was happening. His co-author, Robert-Allan Arno, was the right person for this book. He knows LaMonte well. He has spent many years around all of us in The Original 5th Dimension, and has written articles and liner notes for the group's projects; he maintains a wonderful FOREVER 5th DIMENSION Blog. He and LaMonte spent years putting this project together. We found it to be a totally entertaining and informative read."