Funky bassist Ronald LaPread passes away at 76.

Ronald LaPread, a skilled musician, initially denied playing bass when questioned by Lionel Richie, but eventually mastered it on his own, becoming crucial to the group's achievements.

The Commodores' iconic sound owes much to Ronald LaPread's bass lines from the 1970s and '80s, which infused hits like "Brick House," "Three Times a Lady," and "Easy" with funk and soul. His passing occurred on May 30 in Auckland, New Zealand, at the age of 76.

Ronald LaPread's friend Tim Roxborogh revealed that he passed away at a hospital, without specifying the reason for his death.

Ronald LaPread's tenure with the Commodores spanned nearly two decades, commencing in 1970 when he became part of their lineup that had its humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama. During his 16-year stint, the group evolved into a prominent supporting act for the Jackson 5 and a key figure in Motown's discography with numerous Top 10 chart successes.

Ronald LaPread's entry into the group was facilitated by his ability to fill a vacant spot on stage. A skilled musician, he had been performing at an American Legion hall event on keyboards when Lionel Richie and Thomas McClary approached him with a query about potential bass players.

Ronald LaPread confessed to playing bass with uncharacteristic candor but it wasn't true.

Ronald LaPread remembered boasting about his skills with a bold claim in a recent Instagram video posting.

Ronald LaPread's musical journey began with a borrowed bass, which he mastered in the days leading up to his first band rehearsal. His anxiety about being handed sheet music was alleviated when "Liar," a recent release by Three Dog Night, was played at the rehearsal, giving him confidence in his ability to learn James Brown's iconic funk single "Cold Sweat" on short notice.

Ronald LaPread expressed a sense of calmness then.

The Commodores' foundation was built on Ronald LaPread's concise and exacting bass lines.

Ronald LaPread's distinctive bass line in "Brick House" (1977) stands out as one of his most iconic contributions to music. As the primary architect of Commodores' bass parts, he played a crucial role in shaping their sound.

Ronald LaPread's distinctive style rarely required him to cover others' compositions, he revealed in a 2022 "Truth in Rhythm" interview.

Ronald LaPread's musical contributions to the Commodores' funkier tracks were a collaborative effort with fellow band members on songs like "Too Hot ta Trot" and "Fancy Dancer". He also penned his own compositions, such as "Gimme My Mule", "Look What You've Done to Me" and others. The song "Zoom" was a joint creation with Mr. Richie, influenced by the wife's cancer diagnosis in 1977, which sadly led to her passing at just 23 years old.

Born in Tuskegee on September 4, 1949, Ronald Cambrae LaPread came into this world to parents Paul and Lilyan Guice LaPread, a skilled beautician named Ruth. His ancestry included an enslaved ancestor.

Ronald LaPread's early life was marked by a pivotal encounter with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who visited his neighbor, an active member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. This chance meeting led to LaPread's involvement in a sit-in at a segregated church, where protesters faced brutal suppression from dogs and water cannons.

Ronald LaPread's experiences were marked by turmoil, with reports of physical altercations and encounters with animals. However his resolve remained unshaken, as evident from a poignant statement made to The New Zealand Herald in 2018.

Growing up, Ronald LaPread was a multi-instrumentalist who experimented with piano, tuba, and sousaphone, even performing with his high school marching band. Before joining the Commodores, he honed his skills in local bands while pursuing electrical engineering at Tuskegee Institute, a precursor to the university attended by most of his future bandmates.

In 1982, just as The Commodores' star was shining bright, Lionel Richie made a bold decision that would forever alter the group's dynamics and create internal conflicts.

Ronald LaPread's passing at 76 is a poignant reminder of the bond he shared with others, as he reflected on his time with David "Funky" Richards during a promotional event for "Truly," a memoir published last year.

Ronald LaPread was the ideal choice as a lifelong bass player, according to author Mr. Richie in his written account.

After leaving the Commodores in 1986, Ronald LaPread sought a fresh start for himself and his career following Richie's departure and the passing of Benny Ashburn, their manager, who had also left in 1982. He and his wife Farideh moved to New Zealand where they operated boardinghouses, with LaPread dedicating time to mentoring emerging artists and leading the house band on a local late-night talk show program.

Ronald LaPread's home studio was a hub for various musicians, who often dropped by to record, while he'd frequently appear at live music events at American-themed bars.

Ronald LaPread's musical collaborations included touring with Lionel Richie in New Zealand, as well as joining the Commodores on stage in Auckland just 12 months prior.

Survived by his loved ones are Ronald's wife, along with his children: Soraya LaPread, a talented music producer and Ronald Jr., as well as stepson Mark Walls and sister Sharon LaPread.

Ronald LaPread's expertise on creating the iconic "funky sound" for the Commodores' 1974 hit "I Feel Sanctified" was previously discussed on the "Truth in Rhythm" podcast.

Ronald LaPread's fingers were severely strained, forcing him to abandon traditional plucking after an estimated 115 attempts. Instead, he employed a percussive technique, slapping the bass strings with his thumb in a distinctive motion.

The band opted to utilize LaPread's signature slap-bass style instead of waiting for him to recover fully.

Ronald LaPread's playing style fit perfectly into the music.