Ronald LaPread, Commodores' co-founder and bassist, dies at 75
Key takeaways
- Ronald La Pread, a co-founder and former bassist of the funk and soul group the Commodores, has died.
- “It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed,” LaPread’s daughter Soraya LaPread shared on her Instagram story. “If you know me you know my dad.
- LaPread began playing with the Commodores in 1970 alongside Lionel Richie, William “WAK” King, Milan Williams and Thomas McClary while they were students at Tuskegee Institute.
Ronald La Pread, a co-founding member and former bassist of the Commodores, has died at 75. (Raymond Boyd / Getty Images) By Katie Simons Connect June 1, 2026 1:28 PM PT 3 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
Ronald La Pread, a co-founder and former bassist of the funk and soul group the Commodores, has died. He was 75.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed,” LaPread’s daughter Soraya LaPread shared on her Instagram story. “If you know me you know my dad. I am devastated. A piece of me is gone from this world.”