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Commodores founder and former bassist Ronald LaPread has died. He was 75 years old.
On Saturday, LaPread’s daughter, music producer Soraya LaPread, confirmed her father’s death on social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that my Father Ronald LaPread has passed,” Soraya wrote in a post shared to her Instagram Story. Soraya also uploaded a photo of herself hugging LaPread.
Commodores founder and former bassist Ronald LaPread has died at the age of 75. (Photos by Raymond Boyd/Getty; Gilles Petard/Redferns)
No cause of death was immediately given. However, the NZHerald reported on Saturday that LaPread had died following an “unexpected medical event” in Auckland, New Zealand. According to the outlet, LaPread had lived in Auckland for 40 years before his death.
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LaPread founded the Commodores with Lionel Richie, Walter “Clyde” Orange, Thomas McClary, William King, Milan Williams after meeting as students at Tuskegee Institute, later known as Tuskegee University, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
LaPread’s daughter, Soraya LaPread, announced her death on Instagram on Saturday. (Soraya LaPread Instagram)
In 1971, the Commodores were chosen to open for the Jackson 5, a big break that helped them gain national exposure. The funk, soul and R&B band signed with Motown in 1972 and released their debut album “Machine Gun” in 1974.
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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 group’s biggest hits including “Machine Gun,” “Brick House,” “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Sail On,” “Still” and “Nightshift.”
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During LaPread’s tenure, the Commodores received nine Grammy Award nominations, winning in 1986 for best rhythm & blues vocal performance – duo, group or chorus for “Nightshift.”
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It is reported that the singer died after the emergency treatment. (Soraya LaPread Instagram)
After leaving the Commodores, LaPread moved to New Zealand but remained closely connected to the team’s legacy and occasionally reunited with the team for special appearances.
During a 2022 appearance on the YouTube series “TRUTH ON THE RHYTHM”, LaPread shared that he continued to play music in his home studio every day.
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“I play bass and keyboard, others sing, I do it every day because it’s my joy,” he said. “I love it. I believe that God gave me that gift, but I will use it until I can no longer.”
LaPread was a member of the band from 1970 to 1986. (Mike Prior/Redferns)
LaPread also expressed his hopes of performing with the Commodores again, saying, “That was my dream to get back on stage with those guys just for fun.
In October 2025, LaPread joined the current Commodores lineup that includes original members William King and Brent Carter and original members of Walter “Clyde” Orange’s sons Cody Orange, and Colin Orange for their show in Auckland.
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The Commodores later celebrated LaPread’s appearance in a post on the team’s official Instagram page. Along with a photo slideshow, they wrote, “We had an amazing show in Auckland, New Zealand, the first of our 8-show Australia / New Zealand tour. So much love in the theater! Our highlight? Joined on stage by the original Commodores bass player Ronald LaPread!”
The bassist played the band’s biggest hits including “Brick House,” “Three Times A Lady” and “Easy.” (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
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On Saturday, Tuskegee Mayor Chris Lee paid tribute to LaPread on Facebook, writing, “The city of Tuskegee mourns the passing of Ronald LaPread, Tuskegee bassist who built the Commodores and one of our community’s most outstanding native sons.”
“Ron got his start in music while attending Tuskegee Institute High School and later Tuskegee University, where he helped build the foundation for a remarkable career that would impact music fans around the world,” Lee continued.
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“His talent, dedication and accomplishments brought pride to Tuskegee and were an inspiration to generations of youth who followed in his footsteps,” he added. “On behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Tuskegee, I offer my condolences to the LaPread family, his friends, former teammates and fans around the world.”
“Ronald LaPread’s music and legacy will live on for generations to come.”
LaPread lived in New Zealand for 40 years after leaving the group. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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The Commodores recently made headlines when they announced they had pulled out of their scheduled performance during the Great American State Fair, a 16-day festival in Washington, DC on the National Mall celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
“The Commodores will not be performing at the Great American State Fair,” the group wrote on Instagram. “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly associate ourselves with any political party. We support the development of all Americans.”
