Joe Bonsall, The Oak Ridge Boys country music mainstay, dead at 76

Joe Bonsall, longtime member of the legendary nation music singing quartet The Oak Ridge Boys, died Tuesday from problems of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 76.

“Joe beloved to sing,” learn an announcement on Bonsall’s official web site, saying his passing. “He beloved to learn. He beloved to put in writing. He beloved to play banjo. He beloved engaged on the farm. And he beloved the Philadelphia Phillies. However Jesus and his household at all times got here first—and we are going to see him once more on the Promised Day.”

On January 3, 2024, Bonsall, born Joseph S. Bonsall Jr., introduced his retirement from The Oak Ridge Boys ongoing Farewell Tour resulting from growing well being points and immobility.

“A lot of you already know I’ve been battling a sluggish onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular dysfunction. I’m now to a degree that strolling is not possible so I’ve principally retired from the street. It has simply gotten too troublesome,” Joe shared in an announcement on the social platform X.

“It has been an excellent 50 years and I’m grateful to all of the Oak Ridge Boys band crew and employees for the fixed love and help proven to me via all of it,” he continued. “I’ll always remember and for these of you who’ve been continually holding me up in prayer I thanks and ask so that you can carry on praying.”

Bonsall joined The Oak Ridge Boys in 1973, singing tenor. The group’s five-decade-plus profession produced over 30 top-five nation hits, practically half of which had been chart-toppers, together with “Leaving Louisiana within the Broad Daylight,” “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made,” and their signature music, 1981’s RIAA-certified double-platinum hit “Elvira.”

The group, additionally comprised of Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, received 5 Grammy Awards and is a member of the Nation Music Corridor of Fame and Gospel Music Corridor of Fame.

Bonsall is survived by his spouse, two daughters, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.