Sad news for the legendary country music group. Joe Bonsall, who served as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys since 1973 before announcing that he was stepping away from touring earlier this year, passed away today at the age of 76 due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The group that would become the Oak Ridge Boys has been around since 1941, when the quartet out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee got their start as Wally Fowler and the Georgia Clodhoppers. But because they were often asked to sing for service members and their families at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the group changed their name to the Oak Ridge Quartet before becoming the Oak Ridge Boys in 1961. The current lineup of the Oaks was completed in 1973, and for the last 50 years has featured lead singer Duane Allen, tenor Joe Bonsall, baritone William Lee Golden (and his iconic beard), and bass Richard Sterban. Over the past 50 years The Oak Ridge Boys have become icons of country music with hits like “American Made,” “Bobbie Sue,” “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight,” “Fancy Free,” and of course their biggest hit, “Elvira.” And they’ve also become well known for the mark they’ve left on the gospel world, having even performed “Amazing Grace” at the funeral of President George H.W. Bush back in 2018. But Bonsall announced back in January that he would be stepping away from touring due to a neuromuscular disorder that has left him unable to walk. Bonsall said at the time:
"Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. 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. 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 Oak Ridge Boys will finish the Farewell Tour without me, but rest assured, I am good with all of it! God’s Got It!!!" In many ways the face of the group, Bonsall was well known for interacting with fans on Twitter and showing off his beloved cat, Barney. And one of the coolest moments of my career came last year when I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to the legendary Oak Ridge Boys, including Bonsall. It was like sitting down with royalty – and they were just as nice in person as you would expect them to be. 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 is preceded in death by his parents Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall. Rest in peace to a country music legend. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4Hd9p30rck
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