06/01/2026
Ronald LaPread, original founding member and bassist of the Commodores, has passed away at the age of 75.
While most people will rightfully remember Ronald for helping lay down the groove behind some of the greatest songs of the 1970s and ‘80s, I’ll always have a special appreciation for “Zoom,” one of my favorite Commodores songs. Co-written by Ronald and Lionel Richie, it was inspired by Ronald’s wife as she battled serious health issues at the time. It’s a beautiful song filled with love, hope, and heart, and it remains one of the band’s most underrated masterpieces.
https://youtu.be/LMvCbkNydp0?si=U4nPICN93puZxQ6v
His passing also brings back a great memory. Sometime around 1981 or 1982, I was lucky enough to see the original Commodores lineup at the Holiday Star in Merrillville, Indiana, shortly before Lionel departed the group. They were at the absolute top of their game, complete with those iconic Commodores stage outfits that seemed larger than life.
One thing I remember as clearly as the music was Ronald himself. He spent the entire show grinning from ear to ear. He looked like a guy who genuinely loved what he was doing and loved being there with his bandmates and the audience. That smile seemed contagious, spreading across the stage and into the crowd. He carried a positivity that felt completely genuine.
Today is a sad day, but it’s also a reminder of how fortunate I was to witness that band at their peak and to see Ronald LaPread doing what he did best. Thank you for the music, the memories, the groove, and that unforgettable smile.
Rest easy, Ronald.
BP
