Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ronald LaPread Final Interview Before Death
The music world is mourning the loss of Ronald LaPread, the Grammy-winning bassist and founding member of the legendary Commodores, who has passed away at the age of 75.
According to reports from New Zealand, Ronald died in Auckland following what has been described as a sudden medical event. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his daughter, Soraya LaPread, who shared an emotional message on Instagram, writing, “It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed.”
As a key member of the Commodores during their golden years, Ronald helped create some of the group’s most iconic hits, including Brick House, Easy, and Three Times a Lady. His powerful bass lines and musical talent played a major role in shaping the signature sound that made the Commodores one of the most successful acts of the Motown era.
The Commodores sold more than 70 million records worldwide and dominated the charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Ronald’s time with the band coincided with its commercial peak, alongside co-lead singer Lionel Richie before Richie’s rise to global solo superstardom.
Originally formed at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, the Commodores first gained national attention while touring with the Jackson 5. They would soon become stars in their own right, delivering a remarkable blend of funk, soul, and unforgettable ballads. Songs like Lady (You Bring Me Up), Fancy Dancer, Too Hot ta Trot, Still, and Sail On became classics, while the instrumental Machine Gun became a fixture at sporting events and later appeared in major films.
The group’s achievements earned them induction into both the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, along with a Grammy Award and numerous other honors.
After leaving the Commodores in 1986, Ronald made New Zealand his home, where he lived for the rest of his life. Though he stepped away from the spotlight, his contributions to music never faded. Through the timeless songs he helped create, Ronald LaPread’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of music lovers around the world.
At the time of this recording, neither the Commodores nor Lionel Richie had publicly commented on the reports of his passing.
Ronald LaPread leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy, and today fans across the world are remembering the man whose talent helped define an era.
Rest in power, King.
#RonaldLapreaddies
Ronald LaPread Final Interview Before Death
The music world is mourning the loss of Ronald LaPread, the Grammy-winning bassist and founding member of the legendary Commodores, who has passed away at the age of 75.
According to reports from New Zealand, Ronald died in Auckland following what has been described as a sudden medical event. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his daughter, Soraya LaPread, who shared an emotional message on Instagram, writing, “It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed.”
As a key member of the Commodores during their golden years, Ronald helped create some of the group’s most iconic hits, including Brick House, Easy, and Three Times a Lady. His powerful bass lines and musical talent played a major role in shaping the signature sound that made the Commodores one of the most successful acts of the Motown era.
The Commodores sold more than 70 million records worldwide and dominated the charts throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Ronald’s time with the band coincided with its commercial peak, alongside co-lead singer Lionel Richie before Richie’s rise to global solo superstardom.
Originally formed at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, the Commodores first gained national attention while touring with the Jackson 5. They would soon become stars in their own right, delivering a remarkable blend of funk, soul, and unforgettable ballads. Songs like Lady (You Bring Me Up), Fancy Dancer, Too Hot ta Trot, Still, and Sail On became classics, while the instrumental Machine Gun became a fixture at sporting events and later appeared in major films.
The group’s achievements earned them induction into both the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, along with a Grammy Award and numerous other honors.
After leaving the Commodores in 1986, Ronald made New Zealand his home, where he lived for the rest of his life. Though he stepped away from the spotlight, his contributions to music never faded. Through the timeless songs he helped create, Ronald LaPread’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of music lovers around the world.
At the time of this recording, neither the Commodores nor Lionel Richie had publicly commented on the reports of his passing.
Ronald LaPread leaves behind an extraordinary musical legacy, and today fans across the world are remembering the man whose talent helped define an era.
Rest in power, King.
#RonaldLapreaddies
