Farewell to Ronald LaPread, founding member of the Commodores

Ronald LaPread, bassist and founding member of the Commodores, has died. He was 75 years old and was one of the founders of the Commodores together with Lionel Richie, Walter “Clyde” Orange, William King, Milan Williams and Thomas McClary. The news was confirmed by his daughter Soraya LaPread through a message published on social media: “It is with a very heavy heart that I have to announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed away.” The causes of death were not disclosed but according to the New Zealand press, the country where he had lived for 40 years, the musician died in Auckland following a sudden medical problem.

LaPread was in the band from 1970 to 1986, participating in eleven of the group’s albums, contributing to some of their most famous songs, including “Brick House”, “Three Times a Lady” and “Easy”. After leaving the Commodores in 1986 and moving to New Zealand, LaPread had distanced himself from regular activity with the group, although he occasionally returned to share the stage with his former bandmates and with Lionel Richie during some dates in Oceania. Among these also the concert held last year at the Spark Arena in Auckland.