Episode
Ronald LaPread, Commodores Bassist, Passes at 75
- Published
- May 31, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 75
- Processing state
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Summary
Ronald LaPread, the legendary bassist and co-founder of the Commodores, has died at 75 after a sudden medical event in Auckland, New Zealand. A cornerstone of hits like “Brick House,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Easy,” LaPread helped shape the group’s sound from 1970 to 1986, appearing on 11 albums. He and Lionel Richie formed the band at Tuskegee Institute, and the city’s mayor hailed him as a source of pride and inspiration. LaPread recently reunited with the Commodores for New Zealand tours, including a hometown show in Auckland. His passing comes as the current Commodores lineup declines to align with any political party, but his timeless music will forever echo through generations. Support the show: Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/e827693ed796ab93