“It is with very heavy heart that I must announce that my Father Ronald LaPread has passed,” Soraya wrote on a post shared to her Instagram Story. Soraya also uploaded a photo of herself embracing LaPread.<\/p>\n
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The Commodores co-founder and former bassist Ronald LaPread has died at the age of 75. (Raymond Boyd\/Getty Images; Gilles Petard\/Redferns)<\/p>\n
No cause of death was immediately provided. However, the NZHerald <\/a>reported on Saturday that LaPread died following a “sudden medical event” in Auckland, New Zealand. According to the outlet, LaPread had lived in Auckland for 40 years prior to his death.<\/p>\n LIONEL RICHIE CALLS EXPLOSIVE MARRIAGE-ENDING FIGHT THE ‘SCANDAL OF MY CENTURY’ IN NEW TELL-ALL BOOK<\/a><\/p>\n LaPread co-founded the Commodores with Lionel Richie<\/a>, Walter “Clyde” Orange, Thomas McClary, William King, Milan Williams after they met as students at the Tuskegee Institute, which later became known as Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee, Alabama.<\/p>\n LaPread’s daughter, Soraya LaPread, announced his death on Instagram Saturday. (Soraya LaPread Instagram)<\/p>\n In 1971, the Commodores were selected to open for the Jackson 5, a major break that helped them gain national exposure. The funk, soul and R&B band signed with Motown in 1972 and released their debut studio album “Machine Gun” in 1974.<\/p>\n SLY STONE, FRONTMAN OF SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE, DEAD AT 82<\/a><\/p>\n LaPread was a member of the Commodores for 16 years from 1970 to 1986 and played on 11 of their albums. His bass work can be heard on some of the legendary group’s biggest hits including “Machine Gun,” “Brick House,” “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Sail On,” “Still” and “Nightshift.”<\/p>\n KOOL & THE GANG’S MICHAEL SUMLER DEAD AT 71 AFTER FATAL CAR CRASH<\/a><\/p>\n During LaPread’s tenure with the band, the Commodores earned nine Grammy Award<\/a> nominations, winning in 1986 for best Rhythm & Blues vocal performance \u2013 duo, group or chorus of “Nightshift.”<\/p>\n STEVE CROPPER, BLUES BROTHERS GUITARIST AND STAX RECORDS LEGEND, DIES AT 84<\/a><\/p>\n The musician reportedly died after a sudden medical event. (Soraya LaPread Instagram)<\/p>\n After leaving the Commodores, LaPread moved to New Zealand but remained closely associated with the band’s legacy and occasionally reunited with the group for special appearances.<\/p>\n During a 2022 appearance on the “TRUTH IN RHYTHM” YouTube series, LaPread shared that he continued to play music at his home studio every day.<\/p>\n SLY STONE, FRONTMAN OF SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE, DEAD AT 82<\/a><\/p>\n “I play some bass and some keyboard and some singing. I do it every day because that’s my joy,” he said. “I love it. I believe that God gave me that gift, but I will use it until I can’t do it anymore.”<\/p>\n LaPread was a member of the band from 1970 to 1986. (Mike Prior\/Redferns)<\/p>\n LaPread also expressed his hopes of performing with the Commodores again, saying, “That has always been my dream to get on stage one time with those fellas once again just for the fun of it.”<\/p>\n In October 2025, LaPread joined the Commodores’ current lineup which includes original member William King along with Brent Carter and original member Walter “Clyde” Orange’s sons Cody Orange, and Colin Orange for their show in Auckland.<\/p>\n BLONDIE DRUMMER CLEM BURKE DEAD AT 70<\/a><\/p>\n The Commodores later celebrated LaPread’s appearance in a post on the band’s official Instagram page. Along with a slideshow of photos, they wrote, “We had an amazing show in Auckland, New Zealand, the first of our 8-show Australia<\/a> \/ New Zealand tour. So much love in the theater! Our highlight? We were joined on stage by original Commodores bass player Ronald LaPread!”<\/p>\n The bassist played on some of the band’s biggest hits including “Brick House,” “Three Times A Lady” and “Easy.” (Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n On Saturday, Tuskegee Mayor Chris Lee paid tribute to LaPread in a Facebook<\/a> post, writing, “The City of Tuskegee mourns the passing of Ronald LaPread, legendary bassist of Tuskegee’s very own Commodores and one of our community’s most distinguished native sons.”<\/p>\n “Ron received his musical start while attending Tuskegee Institute High School<\/a> and later Tuskegee University, where he helped build the foundation for a remarkable career that would impact music fans around the world,” Lee continued.<\/p>\n LIKE WHAT YOU\u2019RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n “His talent, dedication, and success brought pride to Tuskegee and served as an inspiration to generations of young people who followed in his footsteps,” he added. “On behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Tuskegee, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the LaPread family, his friends, former bandmates, and fans across the globe.”<\/p>\n “Ronald LaPread’s music and legacy will continue to live on for generations to come.”<\/p>\n LaPread lived in New Zealand for 40 years after leaving the band. (Hulton Archive\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Soraya](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IMG_2678.jpeg\")
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