Ronald LaPread, co-founder and former bassist of the funk and soul group The Commodores, has died at age 75. According to multiple reports, he passed away in Auckland, New Zealand from a sudden medical event.
Key Takeaways
Ronald LaPread, co-founder and former bassist of the Commodores, has died at age 75 after a sudden medical event. He was known for his contributions to hits like 'Brick House' and 'Easy'.
- Ronald LaPread passed away in Auckland, New Zealand from a sudden medical event.
- He co-founded the Commodores with Lionel Richie and others while at Tuskegee Institute.
- LaPread played bass on iconic songs including 'Brick House', 'Three Times a Lady', and 'Easy'.
- The Commodores won a Grammy for their song 'Nightshift' during his tenure.
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▼Source Claims Check
High ConsensusAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cause Of Death | Broad Agreement | Sudden medical event in Auckland, NZ | |
| Band Founding Year | Broad Agreement | 1970 at Tuskegee Institute | |
| Major Hits With Lapread | Broad Agreement | Brick House', 'Three Times a Lady', and 'Easy | |
| Grammy Winning Song | Broad Agreement | 'Nightshift' in 1986 |
Cause Of Death
Broad AgreementSudden medical event in Auckland, NZ
Band Founding Year
Broad Agreement1970 at Tuskegee Institute
Major Hits With Lapread
Broad AgreementBrick House', 'Three Times a Lady', and 'Easy
Grammy Winning Song
Broad Agreement'Nightshift' in 1986
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
LaPread's daughter Soraya announced his death on Instagram Saturday, writing that she was devastated by the loss of her father. The Commodores also shared their condolences on social media, calling LaPread 'a phenomenal musician' and noting he would always be part of the band.
LaPread began playing with the Commodores in 1970 alongside Lionel Richie while they were students at Tuskegee Institute. The group gained national exposure opening for the Jackson 5 in 1971, leading to a Motown Records deal and their debut album Machine Gun in 1974.
The Commodores achieved mainstream success with hits like 'Easy', 'Three Times a Lady' and 'Brick House', the latter of which LaPread insisted they include on an album. He left the band in 1986 to move to New Zealand but remained closely associated with their legacy, occasionally reuniting for special performances.
During his time with the Commodores, the group earned nine Grammy nominations and won an award for their song 'Nightshift'. LaPread joined the Commodores onstage last October during a tour stop in Auckland. He is survived by his wife Farideh; children Mark, Ronald Jr., and Soraya.
How this summary was created
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