Oak Ridge Boys Member, Country Hall of Famer Was 76

Joe Bonsall, one of many mainstays of nation music’s main vocal group, the Oak Ridge Boys, for 51 years, died Tuesday at 76. The reason for demise was issues of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Bonsall, who had been a well-known face within the group since 1973, introduced his retirement from touring with the group in January, citing his sickness, because the Oak Ridge Boys continued their farewell tour in his absence. Upon his live performance retirement, it was reported that Bonsall, who supplied a tenor voice within the group harmonies, nonetheless deliberate to report a brand new album with them this yr.

The group was greatest recognized by crossover audiences for the 1981 smash “Elvira,” which not solely hit No. 1 on the nation chart but additionally discovered pop success, reaching No. 5 on Billboard’s Scorching 100. The next yr, “Bobbie Sue” additionally registered success in pop in addition to nation, hitting No. 12 on the Scorching 100 together with topping the chart within the ensemble’s residence format. Altogether the band had 17 No. 1 nation songs and landed 34 in nation’s prime 10.

Bonsall was inducted into the Nation Music Corridor of Fame together with three of his fellow group members in 2015. The Oak Ridge Boys had been additionally elected into the Gospel Music Corridor of Fame in 2000.

“For 50 years, Joe Bonsall was the Oak Ridge Boys’ sparkplug,” mentioned Kyle Younger, CEO of the Nation Music Corridor of Fame and Museum, in an announcement memorializing the singer. “He was as thrilling a performer as any who ever hit a gospel or nation stage. His tenor voice was excessive and clear, and his jovial spirit all the time supplied a jolt of vitality, instantly rousing audiences to return on in and take a load off. He definitely lightened our cares each time he sang.”

The origins of the Oak Ridge Boys return to the Nineteen Forties, and the group took on that title within the mid-Nineteen Sixties, however the combo was primarily referred to as a gospel act earlier than Bonsall joined in 1973. Johnny Money helped them get signed to Columbia Information after he enlisted them as company on his single “Reward the Lord and Cross the Soup,” however the group didn’t discover main secular success till a subsequent signing to Dot/ABC and the discharge of a music referred to as “Y’all Come Again Saloon” that went to No. 3 on the nation chart in 1977. Subsequent No. 1 songs throughout that early interval of success included “Attempting to Love Two Girl,” “I’ll Be True to You,” “Leaving Louisiana within the Broad Daylight” and “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free.”

Different chart-toppers in the course of the group’s ’70s/’80s streak included “This Loopy Love, “I Guess It By no means Hurts to Harm Generally,” “It Takes a Little Rain” and “No Matter How Excessive.”

The Oak Ridge Boys registered their closing No. 1 nation hit with 1989’s “No Matter How Excessive,” however continued to be a profitable touring act — and to be welcomed as company on nation awards exhibits and at different particular events — to the current day.

The group was additionally recognized to Paul Simon followers for the vocal accompaniment they supplied on his 1977 hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

Bonsall had written 11 books, together with a memoir as a consequence of be revealed this November, “I See Myself.”

In 2022, Bonsall mentioned he had almost died from pulmonary embolisms. ““I may have simply died final weekend however God is just not by means of with me but,” Bonsall tweeted. “I’m residence now after 6 days within the hospital battling pulmonary embolisms … my restoration may take awhile … thanks for the prayers and love proven!”

He recovered and was in a position to take part within the preliminary dates of what was dubbed “American Made: Farewell Tour,” starting in September of 2023.

In January, Bonsall posted to X (previously Twitter), “Lots of you understand I’ve been battling a sluggish onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular dysfunction. I’m now to some extent that strolling is inconceivable so I’ve mainly retired from the street. It has simply gotten too tough… There’s a younger man named Ben James singing for me on the market and he wants your love and encouragement … his sound is totally different than mine however he brings a ton of expertise to the desk! The @oakridgeboys will end the Farewell Tour with out me however relaxation assured I’m good with all of it! God’s Bought It!!!”

“Once I consider the Oak Ridge Boys and their place in Nation Music historical past,” mentioned Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Nation Music Affiliation, “the picture of Joe along with his big smile and boundless vitality involves thoughts so clearly. His dedication to serving others whereas growing Nation Music right into a worldwide sensation won’t ever be forgotten and our trade has been made higher due to him. At this time, we misplaced an incomparable vitality and voice in music. He can be missed tremendously by all who had been lucky to know him.” 

Mentioned a demise discover issued by Bonsall’s reps, “Joe cherished to sing. He cherished to learn. He cherished to write down. He cherished to play banjo. He cherished engaged on the farm. And he cherished the Philadelphia Phillies. However Jesus and his household all the time got here first—and we are going to see him once more on the Promised Day.”

Bonsall is survived by his spouse, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two nice grandsons, Probability and Gray, and a sister, Nancy. He was preceded in demise by his dad and mom Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.

At his request, no funeral can be held. In lieu of flowers, donations could also be made to the ALS Affiliation or to the Vanderbilt Medical Middle ALS and Neuroscience Analysis Middle