Founding member and former bassist of the Commodores, Ronald LaPread has passed away at the age of 75.
Taking to social media on Saturday, the musician’s daughter Soraya stated “It is with very heavy heart that I must announce that my father, Ronald LaPread, has passed.”
While the cause of death was not addressed, according to the NZ Herald, “following a sudden medical event.” the bassist died in Auckland, New Zealand where he’d been living for the last four decades.
Originally named the Mystics, LaPread co-founded the Commodores with Lionel Richie, Walter ‘Clyde’ Orange, William King, Milan Williams and Thomas McClary.
Signed to Motown in 1972, the guitarist appeared on eleven Commodores LPs, performing on some of the group’s biggest hits – including ‘Brick House,’ ‘Three Times a Lady’ and ‘Easy,’ – and remained a part of the band from 1970 until 1986, when he left the United States.
In recent years, LaPread reunited with the Commodores and Lionel Richie when they toured New Zealand, including a 2025 stop at Spark Arena in Auckland.
LaPread’s passing follows news that the current Commodores lineup announced their cancellation of the Great American State Fair in Washington DC as part of the Trump-backed Freedom 250. Making claims of being misled as to the nature of the event.including, Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Morris Day & The Time, and Young MC also pulled out of the concert series, that was initially scheduled to run from June 25 thru July 10.
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Motown Records – Public Domain