The music world is mourning the loss of Ronald LaPread, the former bass player of legendary American soul and funk group The Commodores, who has died in Auckland at the age of 75.
LaPread was a key member of The Commodores during the band’s most successful years, helping shape the unmistakable sound behind a string of international hits that defined an era of R&B, funk and soul music. He served as the band’s bassist from 1970 to 1986, laying down the grooves that powered classics such as Easy, Three Times a Lady, Sail On, and Nightshift.
Born in New Zealand, LaPread moved to the United States as a young man and joined The Commodores while studying at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The group would go on to become one of Motown Records’ biggest acts, selling millions of records worldwide and earning a place among the most influential bands of the 1970s and 1980s.
While Lionel Richie often occupied the spotlight as the band’s lead singer and songwriter, LaPread’s bass playing formed a crucial part of The Commodores’ signature sound, helping the group seamlessly blend funk, soul, pop and R&B into chart-topping success.
After leaving the band in the mid-1980s, LaPread eventually returned to New Zealand, where he remained connected to music and the arts while enjoying a quieter life away from the international stage.
Tributes have begun flowing from musicians, fans and members of the New Zealand music community, many remembering LaPread as a pioneering Kiwi musician who achieved global success while never forgetting his roots.
His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in music history. For generations of fans, his bass lines provided the soundtrack to weddings, celebrations and unforgettable moments, ensuring his legacy will continue to resonate long after his final note.
Ronald LaPread leaves behind a musical legacy that spans continents, genres and generations—a testament to the enduring power of rhythm, soul and great songwriting.
