Photo: Joe Bonsall | Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. (May 18, 1948 – July 9, 2024) was an American singer who was the tenor vocalist of the country/gospel vocal quartet the Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2023. Besides charting numerous hits as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall had a solo chart credit alongside the band Sawyer Brown in their 1986 single “Out Goin’ Cattin'”, on which he was credited as “Cat Joe Bonsall”.
Bonsall was born on May 18, 1948 in Philadelphia, to Joseph Sloan Bonsall Sr., and Lillie Maude Collins, who both served in World War II. He also had a sister, Nancy Marie.
Bonsall performed in gospel groups of the Northeastern United States before joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973. As an author, Bonsall released a four-part children’s book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie, a book about his parents’ lives during and after World War II. He also authored On The Road With The Oak Ridge Boys, An American Journey, From My Perspective, and An Inconvenient Christmas. His newest book, I See Myself, is due to be released in November.
Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys.
Illness and death
On January 3, 2024, Bonsall released a statement announcing his retirement from touring with the Oak Ridge Boys due to neuromuscular disease (posthumously revealed as being amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS). For the rest of the tour, Ben James sang in Bonsall’s stead.
Bonsall died in Hendersonville, Tennessee, due to complications of ALS on July 9, 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bonsall
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oak_Ridge_Boys
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CNN – Joe Bonsall, who left the legendary singing group The Oak Ridge Boys after 50 years in January due to a neuromuscular disorder, has died, his management team announced Tuesday.
He was 76.
Bonsall died from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), according to his representatives. The degenerative nervous system disease can affect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Bonsall announced on social media about six months ago that he was leaving the group.
“Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over 4 years now) of a neuromuscular disorder,” he wrote. “I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road. It has just gotten too difficult.”
Bonsall noted that “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,” he added.
Bonsall explained at the time that Ben James is singing in the group in his stead, writing that “his sound is different than mine but he brings a ton of talent to the table!”
“The @oakridgeboys will finish the Farewell Tour without me but rest assured I am good with all of it!” he concluded. “God’s Got It!!!”
The country and gospel quartet, originally founded in 1943 out ot Tennessee, are known for songs including “Elvira” and “American Made.” Bonsall joined the group in 1973.
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Go here to read the rest of this story with more about Mr. Bonsall’s life:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/09/entertainment/joe-bonsall-death/index.html
In addition to his contributions to music, Bonsall was also a prolific author. He penned 11 books including his upcoming memoir I See Myself, which is set to hit bookshelves in November.
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. His family requests privacy at this time.
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Rusty Golden, country singer and son of The Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden, dies at 65
The vocalist’s passing is the latest tragedy for the band to occur this year. On July 4, it was announced that William “Rusty” Golden, son of William Lee Golden, had died at 65. “This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face,” his father said in a statement to EW at the time. “I love my family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter, and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”
On Easter, the band also announced that Duane Allen’s wife, singer Norah Lee Allen, had died at 76. In a second social media post, the band shared that Sterban’s wife, Donna, had also lost her father that same day.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/joe-bonsall-oak-ridge-boys-195856659.html
Photo: Joe Bonsall | From his Facebook page
Joe Bonsall, Oak Ridge Boys Singer, Passes from ALS
