The death of a famous voice has the whole music scene tumbling as the venerable Oak Ridge Boys vocalist Joe Bonsall died yesterday.
Fellow country musicians, remembering Bonsall’s extraordinary skill, contagious enthusiasm, and legacy, have been pouring tributes upon his passing.
Celebrating Bonsall’s influence on the country music world, Blake Shelton, Travis Tritt, and other renowned musicians have sent their sincere sympathies on social media.
For five decades of work, Bonsall’s strong tenor voice and humorous attitude won him supporters all over.
Fans and friends both are grieving the loss of a real country music powerhouse as word of his death travels.
Country Music Stars Mourns The Loss of Joe Bonsall
Legendary vocalist and Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall died on July 9, 2024, and the country music world is in grief for him.
Complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition he had been fighting for several years, caused Bonsall’s death.
The music industry has lost a great talent with Bonsall’s death; his fellow country singers have responded on social media to honor the late hero.
Blake Shelton wrote, “I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and very vibrant. He loved singing like no one I have ever known.
Shelton also sent prayers and condolences to Bonsall’s family and his Oak Ridge Boys brothers, thereby honoring their great loss.
“Joe had amazing talent and a wonderful personality, and he will be sorely missed terribly by everyone who knew him”
I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsalls 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 his @oakridgeboys brothers. We all lost a special… pic.twitter.com/RKVJ7KcXyL
— Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton) July 9, 2024
Travis Tritt also said in expressing his sympathies. Tritt took solace in the knowledge that Bonsall is now with our Lord Jesus, therefore bringing peace to those bereaved of his death.
Remembering Bonsall as the Oak Ridge Boys’ “sparkplug,” whose “tenor voice was high and clear, and his jovial spirit always provided a jolt of energy.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said Kyle Young, the CEO of the museum, commended Bonsall’s ability to lessen viewers’ responsibilities each time he sang.
As a Hall of Fame member and CMA Awards winner, the CMA Country Music Association also sent their sincere sympathies to Bonsall’s family and loved ones, thereby honoring his contributions to country music.
Other country artists who sent their sincere prayers and memories of Bonsall included Lee Greenwood, the Bellamy Brothers, Jimmy Wayne, and Home Free.
Eddie Montgomery penned, “Man, listening to the Oaks!! Growing up Love all of them, the Lord needs him in the choir!! Former baseball player John Kruk recalled Bonsall as a buddy and major Phillies supporter.
Over five decades, Bonsall has had a lasting impression on country music; his contributions to the Oak Ridge Boys have changed the genre fundamentally.
He was renowned in Nashville’s music industry for his strong tenor voice, lively live performances, and joyful attitude.
Bonsall’s poor health led to his retirement from the Oak Ridge Boys; nonetheless, his music and energy inspired and uplifted listeners all around.
Along with celebrating his life, music, and the ongoing influence he had on those who knew him, the country music community gathers to lament the death of this great artist.
Oak Ridge Boy’s Joe Bonsall Died at 76
Complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative nervous system illness that damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, claimed Joe Bonsall aged 76.
In the music business, Bonsall has left an unmatched legacy. As a member of The Oak Ridge Boys, he entertained audiences all across with his strong tenor voice and dynamic live performances for fifty years.
He belonged to the Grand Ole Opry and was admitted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and Vocal Group Hall of Fame among other music halls of fame.
Published in November, Bonsall’s memoir “I See Myself: Musings and Memories of a Blessed Life,” is left by his wife, Mary Ann; daughters Jennifer and Sabrina; many grandkids and great-grandchildren.
Founded in Tennessee in 1943, the Oak Ridge Boys are renowned for their singles like “Elvira” and “American Made.”
Bonsall joined the band in 1973 and soon became a mainstay of their sound and popularity. Over 10,000 events in amphitheaters, arenas, stadiums, and theatres all over were among his many performances.
Although Bonsall’s death left a hole in the music business, his words and songs will inspire and delight listeners always.
Though his family, friends, and supporters will sorely miss him, his contributions to country and gospel music will help to live in his memory.
There wasn’t any funeral at his wish, hence instead of flowers, contributions donated to the Vanderbilt Medical Centre ALS and Neuroscience Research Centre or The ALS Association.
Joe Bonsall Announced Retirement in January
Tenor vocalist Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys announced his retirement from touring on January 3, 2024, citing a neuromuscular condition that had been effecting him for more than four years.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Bonsall said that his illness had advanced to the point where it was too tough to keep performing on the road—walking was impossible.
Over his 50-year career, Bonsall extended thanks for their love and support to the Oak Ridge Boys’ band, crew, and staff. Along with thanking supporters for their prayers, he appealed for their ongoing support.
My personal statement …
— Joe Bonsall (@joebonsall) January 3, 2024
“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. It has been a great 50 years…
The Oak Ridge Boys welcomed Ben James, a gifted young vocalist hired as Bonsall’s replacement, to the group at a December 30, 2023 performance in Greenville, Mississippi.
Celebrating fifty years together, the Oak Ridge Boys were about to start their farewell tour, and Bonsall was sure the show would carry on without him.
He urged supporters to help James on the tour and commended his skills. Called “The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Farewell Tour,” the farewell tour would highlight fan favorites from all over their decades-spanning career.
In a statement, Bonsall thought back on his path with The Oak Ridge Boys and expressed thanks for the chance to tour with his friends for 50 years.
Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban, his bandmates, all expressed their delight for the farewell tour, appreciating over the years the support and affection of their fans.
Unmatched in country music, Bonsall’s contributions to The Oak Ridge Boys have permanently changed the field.
Even after his retirement, his music and attitude will inspire and uplift listeners all around.
Conclusion
- The country music scene suffers a great vacuum with Joe Bonsall’s death.
- Generations of both fans and artists have been motivated by his extraordinary skill, contagious spirit, and legacy.
- He was a founding member of the Oak Ridge Boys and was instrumental in forming their distinctive sound and launching the group to popularity.
- He was a popular person in the business as his strong tenor voice and cheerful attitude won viewers all over.
- Although his passing is a great loss, for years to come his music and attitude will elevate and inspire listeners.
- The country music community honors his life, legacy, and ongoing influence on the genre while it laments the death of this great artist.
- Joe Bonsall’s memory will always be loved, and his songs will always bear evidence of his ongoing influence on country music.