Ronald LaPread, the Grammy-winning founding member of the legendary funk band Commodores, has reportedly died at age 75.
LaPread’s daughter Soraya LaPread announced the loss to her Instagram followers on Saturday, writing: ‘It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce that my father Ronald LaPread has passed.’
The New Zealand Herald reports LaPread died in Auckland after a ‘sudden medical event.’
From 1970 to 1986, LaPread served as the group’s bassist and contributed to their widely-successful songs Brick House, Three Times A Lady, and Easy.
The Daily Mail has contacted Soraya and the Commodores for comment but has not yet heard back.
Ronald LaPread, the Grammy-winning founding member of the legendary funk band Commodores, has reportedly died at age 75; LaPread pictured far L with Commodores bandmate Lionel Richie and Al Green in 2009
Soraya LaPread announced her father’s passing to her social media followers on Saturday
The group inked a record deal with Motown in 1972, fronted by Lionel Richie, 76.
LaPread exited the collective in 1986, relocating to New Zealand, where he resided over the past 40 years.
Thomas McClary, Milan Williams,William King, Ronald LaPread and Walter Orange pictured in 1986
The group inked a record deal with Motown in 1972, fronted by Lionel Richie, 76; pictured in 1980
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