WASHINGTON — Ronald LaPread, the talented bassist and co-founder of the legendary band the Commodores, passed away this past weekend at the age of 75. His daughter shared the news of his death on social media, noting that he died at his residence in Auckland, New Zealand.
LaPread was instrumental in forming the Commodores during the late 1960s alongside his fellow students at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute. Their big break came in 1972 when the band signed with the iconic Motown label.
The Commodores, with LaPread’s distinctive basslines, played a crucial role in bringing funk music to the forefront of the R&B charts. His memorable bass riffs are prominently featured in the group’s classic hit “Brick House” from 1977. The song, with its playful, suggestive lyrics that LaPread helped pen, captured the fascination of American audiences and soared to No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In a video shared on his Instagram earlier this year, LaPread reminisced about the initial reactions to “Brick House,” saying, “They said, ‘Oh man, it’s too Black.’ I said, ‘Wait a minute. … Just put it on the album.’ … They went crazy. When you hear a hit song, it sends goosebumps all over your body. Before anything happens, you feel it.”
However, it was the band’s shift to soulful ballads that truly cemented their dominance on the pop charts.
During 1977 and 1978, the Commodores achieved remarkable success with two No. 1 hits, “Three Times a Lady” and “Still.” These love songs highlighted the emotional depth and vocal prowess of lead singer Lionel Richie, captivating fans worldwide.
Richie eventually left the group in 1982, going on to become one of the best-selling solo acts of all time. After working with the Commodores on popular songs like 1985’s “Nightshift,” LaPread followed, leaving the group in 1986 to move to New Zealand.
Richie, 76, widely known to the younger generation as a judge on “American Idol,” remembered LaPread as a “dear brother,” while affectionately referring to the bassist as “Pread.” Richie then wrote out the full lyrics to “Zoom,” a song he co-wrote with LaPread in 1977, posting them for his 2 million followers to read.
“I may be just a foolish dream / But I don’t care,” the song lyrics read. “Cause I know my happiness is waiting out there, somewhere.”
In a series of emotional Instagram stories, LaPread’s daughter, Soraya, paid tribute to the musician, calling him a kind and loving father.
“We were the best daddy-daughter duo,” Soraya LaPread wrote. “If you know me, you know my Dad. I am devastated. A piece of me is gone from this world. I have never felt a pain so deep in my life. It’s because he loved me so unconditionally and so deeply that the loss is indescribable.”
Also active on social media, Ronald LaPread had been posting on Instagram in the weeks leading up to his death, sharing memories of the Commodores opening for the Jackson 5 as well as photos and videos of himself jamming out with his former bandmates. His bio reads “Stilllllll funky.”
Although not officially part of the Commodores since the 1980s, LaPread had been known to make special appearances with the band during select tour stops.
The Commodores are still an active group and have tour dates scheduled throughout the summer, with original member William King performing alongside two of former co-lead singer Walter Orange’s sons.
