Ronald LaPread, the co-founder and bassist of the legendary funk and soul group the Commodores, has passed away at 75. His daughter, Soraya LaPread, announced his death on Instagram, describing her devastation and noting that he died from a sudden medical event. The Commodores expressed their sorrow on social media, highlighting LaPread's significant contributions to their music and his lasting legacy. LaPread was part of the Commodores since 1970, alongside other founding members such as Lionel Richie. The band initially gained traction by performing on campus at Tuskegee Institute and later opened for the Jackson 5, which propelled them to sign with Motown Records. They achieved mainstream success with albums like 'Machine Gun' and notable hits such as 'Easy' and 'Brick House.' LaPread left the band in 1986 and moved to New Zealand but reunited with them for a performance in October 2022. He is survived by his wife, Farideh, and three children.