Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music’s Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76 (2024)

Joe Bonsall, one of the mainstays of country music’s leading vocal group, the Oak Ridge Boys, for 51 years, died Tuesday at 76. The cause of death was complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Bonsall, who had been a familiar face in the group since 1973, announced his retirement from touring with the group in January, citing his illness, as the Oak Ridge Boys continued their farewell tour in his absence. Upon his concert retirement, it was reported that Bonsall, who provided a tenor voice in the group harmonies, still planned to record a new album with them this year.

The group was best known by crossover audiences for the 1981 smash “Elvira,” which not only hit No. 1 on the country chart but also found pop success, reaching No. 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The following year, “Bobbie Sue” also registered success in pop as well as country, hitting No. 12 on the Hot 100 along with topping the chart in the ensemble’s home format. Altogether the band had 17 No. 1 country songs and landed 34 in country’s top 10.

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Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with three of his fellow group members in 2015. The Oak Ridge Boys were also elected into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

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“For 50 years, Joe Bonsall was the Oak Ridge Boys’ sparkplug,”said Kyle Young, CEOofthe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in a statement memorializing the singer. “He was as exciting a performer as any who ever hit a gospel or country stage. His tenor voice was high and clear, and his jovial spirit always provided a jolt of energy, immediately rousing audiences to come on in and take a load off. He certainly lightened our cares every time he sang.”

Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music’s Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76 (3)

The origins of the Oak Ridge Boys go back to the 1940s, and the group took on that name in the mid-1960s, but the combo was primarily known as a gospel act before Bonsall joined in 1973. Johnny Cash helped them get signed to Columbia Records after he enlisted them as guests on his single “Praise the Lord and Pass the Soup,” but the group didn’t find major secular success until a subsequent signing to Dot/ABC and the release of a song called “Y’all Come Back Saloon” that went to No. 3 on the country chart in 1977. Subsequent No. 1 songs during that early period of success included “Trying to Love Two Woman,” “I’ll Be True to You,” “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” and “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free.”

Other chart-toppers during the group’s ’70s/’80s streak included “This Crazy Love, “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes,” “It Takes a Little Rain” and “No Matter How High.”

The Oak Ridge Boys registered their final No. 1 country hit with 1989’s “No Matter How High,” but continued to be a successful touring act — and to be welcomed as guests on country awards shows and at other special occasions — to the present day.

The group was also known to Paul Simon fans for the vocal accompaniment they provided on his 1977 hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

Bonsall had written 11 books, including a memoir due to be published this November, “I See Myself.”

In 2022, Bonsall said he had nearly died from pulmonary embolisms. ““I could have easily died last weekend but God is not through with me yet,” Bonsalltweeted. “I am home now after 6 days in the hospital battling pulmonary embolisms … my recovery could take awhile … thanks for the prayers and love shown!”

He recovered and was able to participate in the initial dates of what was dubbed “American Made: Farewell Tour,” beginning in September of 2023.

In January, Bonsall posted to X (formerly Twitter), “Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult… There is a young man named Ben James singing for me out there and he needs your love and encouragement … his sound is different than mine but he brings a ton of talent to the table! The @oakridgeboys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!”

Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music’s Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76 (4)

“When I think of the Oak Ridge Boys and their place in Country Music history,” said Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, “the image of Joe with his huge smile and boundless energy comes to mind so clearly. His commitment to serving others while developing Country Music into a worldwide sensation will never be forgotten and our industry has been made better because of him. Today, we lost an incomparable energy and voice in music. He will be missed greatly by all who were fortunate to know him.”

Said a death notice issued by Bonsall’s reps, “Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day.”

Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.

At his request, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made tothe ALS Associationor to theVanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center

Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music’s Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76 (2024)

FAQs

Did Joe Bonsall from the Oak Ridge Boys pass away? ›

Joe Bonsall, the tenor in The Oak Ridge Boys, died on Tuesday (July 9) from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the group announced on its website and social media accounts. He was 76, and died in Hendersonville, Tenn. Bonsall had announced his retirement from touring at the beginning of the year.

How long did Joe Bonsall have ALS? ›

Joe Bonsall and his fight with ALS

Bonsall joined the group in 1973 and was a 50-year member of the Oak Ridge Boys. Joe Bonsall announced his retirement from the group in December 2023. In a press release, he said, "Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder.

What year did Joe Bonsall join the Oak Ridge Boys? ›

In 1967 he moved to Hattiesburg, Pa., to join Mr. Sterban in the Keystone Quartet, a gospel group. He remained until he moved to Hendersonville to join the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973.

Are the Oak Ridge Boys still singing? ›

Country Music Hall of Fame members say goodbye to their fans after 50 years! Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Oak Ridge Boys have officially announced their Farewell Tour after 50 years of touring.

Who was kicked out of The Oak Ridge Boys? ›

Golden was removed from the group in 1987 and replaced by Steve Sanders until 1995, when he left and Golden rejoined. Ben James replaced Bonsall on tenor vocals in 2024, just before Bonsall's death from complications of ALS. The group was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Which Oak Ridge Boys died? ›

Joe Bonsall, an author and longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys for over 50 years, has died. He was 76. The tenor singer died July 9 due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS, according to a press release shared with Entertainment Weekly.

How long did Lou Gehrig live after ALS? ›

Gehrig would live less than two years after that afternoon, passing away at his home in the Bronx on June 2, 1941, by coincidence 16 years to the day from when he had replaced Wally Pipp at first base for the Yankees, beginning his streak of consecutive games played.

Is ALS the same as Lou Gehrig's disease? ›

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal type of motor neuron disease. It causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. It's often called Lou Gehrig disease after a famous baseball player who died from the disease.

How old is Joe Bonsall? ›

Illness and death

For the rest of the tour, Ben James sang in Bonsall's stead. Bonsall died due to complications of ALS in Hendersonville, Tennessee, on July 9, 2024, at the age of 76.

Is one of the Oak Ridge Boys sick? ›

Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall died from complications from this rare disease. Here's what to know. Vocalist Joe Bonsall died on July 9 due to complications from ALS.

Who are the Oak Ridge Boys wives? ›

Oak Ridge Boys' and Wives, Duane Allen, Nora Lee Allen, Donna Sterban, Richard Sterban, Simone De Staley, William Lee Golden, Mary Bonsall and Joe... Oak Ridge Boys' and Wives, Duane Allen, Nora Lee Allen, Donna Sterban, Richard Sterban, Simone De Staley, William Lee Golden, Mary Bonsall and Joe...

Why are they called the Oak Ridge Boys? ›

The history of the Oak Ridge Boys stretches back to the 1940s. Wally Fowler, who came to be known as “Mr. Gospel Music,” changed the name of a singing group called the Georgia Clodhoppers to the Oak Ridge Quartet, because the Knoxville, Tennessee, group performed regularly in nearby Oak Ridge.

Is Joe Bonsall retiring? ›

Earlier this week, Oak Ridge Boys member and tenor vocalist Joe Bonsall died at 76 years old due to complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the midst of Bonsall's death, his band members are speaking out about the loss of their 50-year bandmate. Bonsall retired from the band in December 2023.

Will The Oak Ridge Boys tour in 2024? ›

Theirs is one of the most distinctive and timeless sounds in the country music industry, and now The Oak Ridge Boys are bringing their American Made Farewell Tour to The Palace Theatre on September 6, 2024 for an unforgettable night of entertainment for the entire family.

Which Oak Ridge Boys are married? ›

Simone De Staley and family during The Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden Weds Simone De Staley on August 29, 2015 at The Rosewall in Nashville,... Simone De Staley family members during The Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden Weds Simone De Staley on August 29, 2015 at The Rosewall in Nashville,...

Do Oak Ridge Boys have children? ›

Family has long held a special meaning to Golden. In addition to his wife Simone, Golden has four sons in Rusty, Chris, Craig, and Solomon. He also has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also, through his marriage to Simone, he has step-daughter Megan and another grandchild.

Where are the Oak Ridge Brothers from? ›

The history of the Oak Ridge Boys stretches back to the 1940s. Wally Fowler, who came to be known as “Mr. Gospel Music,” changed the name of a singing group called the Georgia Clodhoppers to the Oak Ridge Quartet, because the Knoxville, Tennessee, group performed regularly in nearby Oak Ridge.

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