Ronald LaPread, Commodores Bassist Behind “Brick House,” Dies at 75
Ronald LaPread, who led the way for 70s soul and funk bass with the Commodores, has died of undisclosed causes. He was 75 years old.
The news was shared by his daughter, Soraya LaPread, on an Instagram story writing, “It is with very heavy heart that I must announce that my Father Ronald LaPread has passed.”
LaPread was born September 4th, 1950 and got his musical start while attending the Tuskegee Institute High School and Tuskegee University. He co-founded the Commodores with Thomas McClary, Lionel Richie, Walter “Clyde” Orange, and William King. As Billboard reports, they toured as an opening act for the Jackson 5 before signing with the Motown subsidary MoWest in 1972.
The band scored their first hit in 1974 with “Machine Gun,” but most bassists will recognize LaPread’s stellar bass line on 1977’s “Brick House.” The song is a staple of popular music and one of the most recognizable funk bass parts.
LaPread recorded 11 albums with the Commodores, scoring other hits with songs like “Three Times a Lady” and “Easy.” He left the band in 1986 and relocated to New Zealand, where he lived until his passing.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Ronald LaPread.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
