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Commodores Co-Founder Ronald LaPread Dies at 75 in New Zealand

5/31/2026

Summary

Ronald LaPread Dies

Ronald LaPread, 75, co-founder and bassist of The Commodores, died in New Zealand after a sudden medical event.
His daughter Soraya LaPread announced the death on Instagram, saying she was heart-broken.
LaPread had lived in New Zealand for four decades and attended the May 29, 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards.
He co-founded The Commodores in 1968, played on 11 albums including “Brick House,” and performed live through 2025.

Summary

Ronald LaPread Reunites

He reunited with Lionel Richie and the Commodores on stage in New Zealand, performing at Vector Arena in 2011 and Spark Arena in 2025.
He marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement.
He co-wrote Commodores songs “Young Girls Are My Weakness,” “Look What You’ve Done to Me,” and “Funky Dancer.”
His 1977 Commodores album was dedicated to his wife Kathy Faye LaPread, who died of cancer during production.

Summary

Commodores Breakthrough

The Commodores broke nationally by opening for the Jackson Five’s 1971 tour, which earned them a Motown contract.
Their 1968 lineup included Lionel Richie (sax), Walter Orange (drums), William King (trumpet), Milan Williams (keys), Thomas McClary (guitar) and Ronald LaPread (bass).
Their debut single “Machine Gun” (1974) reached the Soul chart top-10, establishing their funk credentials.
In the early 2000s Ronald LaPread led an eight-piece house band for New Zealand’s nightly TV show “Mike King Tonight.”

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Ronald LaPread Dies

Ronald LaPread, 75, co-founder and bassist of The Commodores, died in New Zealand after a sudden medical event.
His daughter Soraya LaPread announced the death on Instagram, saying she was heart-broken.
LaPread had lived in New Zealand for four decades and attended the May 29, 2026 Aotearoa Music Awards.
He co-founded The Commodores in 1968, played on 11 albums including “Brick House,” and performed live through 2025.

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