Lionel Richie former bandmate Ronald LaPread dies at 75

Ronald LaPread, founding member and former bassist of the Commodores, has died at the age of 75.

Soraya LaPread, his daughter, confirmed the news via social media, writing, "It is with very heavy heart that I must announce that my father, Ronald LaPread, has passed.”

The cause of death was not revealed but the NZ Herald reports that the bassist died in Auckland "following a sudden medical event." He had been living in New Zealand for the past 40 years.

LaPread co-founded the Commodores, first known as the Mystics, with Lionel Richie, Walter “Clyde” Orange, William King, Milan Williams and Thomas McClary, and signed to Motown in 1972.

He appeared on 11 Commodores albums, performing on some of the group's biggest hits, including Brick House, Three Times a Lady and Easy.

LaPread remained a part of the group from 1970 until 1986, when he moved to New Zealand.

He reunited with the Commodores and Lionel Richie in recent years when they toured New Zealand, according to the NZ Herald, including a stop at Spark Arena in Auckland last year.

LaPread's death follows news that the current lineup of the Commodores announced they would not perform at the Great American State Fair in Washington DC as part of the Trump-backed Freedom 250.

A raft of stars, including Martina McBride, Bret Michaels, Morris Day & The Time, and Young MC pulled out of the concert series, which was scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10.

The artists all made claims of being misled about the nature of the event.