Joe Bonsall, a 50-year member of the Country Music Hall of Fame group the Oak Ridge Boys, died Tuesday from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. He was 76.
Among fellow music artists weighing in Bonsall's death was Blake Shelton, who posted this on social media: "I'm heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall's passing. I've never seen Joe when he wasn't smiling and completely full of life. He absolutely loved singing like no one I ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Oak Ridge Boys brothers. We all lost a special person today."
A tenor singer with the Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall announced in January that he was retiring from touring due to health issues. Ben James, formerly with Dailey & Vincent, replaced Bonsall in the touring lineup.
“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder,” Bonsall said in his retirement statement.
“I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys, band, crew and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you who have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I thank you and ask for you to keep on praying.”
In the same statement, Bonsall urged people to support his replacement (Ben James) in the Oak Ridge Boys, who have been managed for decades by Tulsa-based impresario Jim Halsey.
“God love you, Joe Bonsall," Halsey said. “You have been an inspiration to fans, friends and family — especially to me — for 52 years. This is a very rough day.”
Bonsall was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and, in addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame, is in the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
He saw the band through its golden period in the ’80s and beyond, which included its signature 1981 song, “Elvira," its 1982 hit “Bobbie Sue" and 1983's “American Made.” “Elvira” marked a massive crossover moment for the group, reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100.
“For 50 years, Joe Bonsall was the Oak Ridge Boys’ sparkplug. He was as exciting a performer as any who ever hit a gospel or country stage," Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a written statement. "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.”
John Rich of country music duo Big & Rich shared a remembrance on X. Country music is crying today," he wrote. "Joe was a real friend, and someone I looked up to not only as an artist, but as a man. He’s left a legacy of incredible music, and endless accounts of his kind heartedness.”
The Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban are seen at River Spirit Hotel and Casino’s Paradise Cove in 2019.
Country musician Travis Tritt also posted a tribute to Bonsall on X, writing, “Joe had amazing talent and a wonderful personality and he will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him.”
Bonsall wrote 11 books. His memoir, “I See Myself,” will be released posthumously in November.
Said a news release from an Oak Ridge Boys publicist: “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.”
Survivors include 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 the request of Bonsall, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
Joe Bonsall, photographed during a past Oak Ridge Boys concert at the River Spirit Hotel and Casino, has died. He was 76.
What other members of the Oak Ridge Boys said:
Duane Allen: “When I look at Joe Bonsall’s life, I see a life fulfilled. The son of two military veterans, he was raised to become street-smart in the hood-influenced neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents taught him that he could be anything he wished to be if he worked hard, told the truth and trusted in God. Joe could do anything he set his mind to do, but what impressed me the most was the energy, love and compassion he put into everything he did and his unique gift to communicate those emotions and feelings into every performance, song and book. Joe was ‘that’ best friend that every person hopes to have in his life.”
William Lee Golden: “This has been a week of sadness with the loss of my son, Rusty Golden, and now the loss of our brother and our partner of over 50 years, Joe Bonsall. Thankfully we have the memories made and the songs that we’ve sang together to get us through. It gives me comfort to know that Joe and Rusty are together again. Our prayers are with his family.”
Richard Sterban: “For many years, Joe was my best friend. We knew each other long before we both became members of The Oak Ridge Boys. He was a special person who was loved by everyone and was a true inspiration to us all. He was also the best singing partner a person could have. For several years he bravely fought a terrible disease and was a trooper right up until the very end. There is no doubt that today he is in a much better place — at home with Jesus. I will see you soon my dear friend.”
Ben James: “Joe was a true hero to me. His singing is something that I have admired since I was a kid. Nobody could do it like Joe could do it. He was such an encouragement to me. I feel honored that he chose me to sing the tenor line when he decided to come off the road. I try my best for Joe and the Boys every night but only Joe can fill that spot. The legacy he leaves with us is something that is irreplaceable. I am forever thankful I got to know and love one of my all-time heroes that was nothing but good to me. I will miss Joe Bonsall. Thank you for loving everyone you met and making them feel like the most important person in your life when you spoke to them. A true gentleman.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
