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Commoders Hitmaker Ronald LaPread Dies Aged 75 After ‘Sudden Medical Event’

Ronald LaPread, founding member and bassist for The Commodores, died in Auckland on Sunday. The New Zealand Herald reported he died following a "sudden medical event."
Formed in 1968 alongside Lionel Richie at Tuskegee Institute, The Commodores became one of Motown's most successful acts, selling more than 70 Million albums globally.
LaPread left the band in 1986 and emigrated to Auckland, where he lived for 40 years, building a quiet second chapter away from the spotlight.
Following his appearance at the Aotearoa Music Awards on Friday night, his daughter, music producer Soraya LaPread, shared news of his death on Saturday.
Despite leaving the group decades earlier, LaPread reunited with The Commodores and Richie for New Zealand tours, recently musing that fame creates a "fictitious life.

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Ronald LaPread, co-founder of legendary group the Commodores, dead at 75

Ronald LaPread, the bassist who co-founded the Commodores, has died.

2 hours ago

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Commoders hitmaker Ronald LaPread dies aged 75 after ‘sudden medical event’

The longtime Commodores bassist, whose playing helped power some of the biggest soul and funk hits of the 1970s and 1980s, passed away in New Zealand.

6 hours ago·City of Perth, Australia

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