LaPread’s musical legacy stretches back to 1968, when he co-founded the Commodores alongside Lionel Richie, Walter “Clyde” Orange, William “WAK” King, Milan Williams, and Thomas McClary while students at Tuskegee Institute. Originally called The Mystics, the group went on to become one of Motown’s most successful acts, selling over 70 million albums worldwide and producing timeless hits such as “Brick House,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Easy.”
Throughout his career, Ronald LaPread played on 11 Commodores albums and contributed to some of the band’s defining moments. Even after Lionel Richie left the group in the early 1980s, LaPread continued performing with the band, including concert appearances in New Zealand, and most recently on stage during their 2025 tour.
Earlier this week, the Commodores were among several acts to pull out of the Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair, an event celebrating America’s 250th birthday, citing political concerns. LaPread’s passing comes shortly after this high-profile announcement, adding a poignant note to the band’s ongoing story.
Fans, fellow musicians, and the music industry are mourning the loss of a man whose bass lines helped define the sound of Motown and brought soul music to generations. The Commodores, as a group and individually, have yet to release an official statement on LaPread’s death.
Ronald LaPread was 75 years old.
