Beloved Longtime Oak Ridge Boys singer Joe Bonsall
died on Tuesday (July 9) of complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), according to a statement from his publicist. The singer was a member of the Oak Ridge Boys for five decades before announcing his retirement from the group in January of 2024 due to his declining health.
Joe Bonsall's death prompted heartfelt tributes from artists who remembered him not only as an exceptional singer and entertainer but also as a kind-hearted and genuine individual.
One day after Joe's death, McEntire paid a tribute with a sweet post on X.
"Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend! I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality," she wrote alongside a smiling photo with Bonsall. She continued, "I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba"
Blake, 48, who had performed with The Oak Ridge Boys in the past, also paid tribute to Bonsall on X.
"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," he wrote. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his Oak Ridge boys brothers. We all lost a special person today."
Travis Tritt shared a video of Joe's last performance with Oak Ridge Boys and wrote "This was one of the last performances that Joe bonsall did with Oak Ridge boys before leaving the group due to health issues. I cannot express the gratitude I feel that I had a chance to sing good gospel music with these legendary performers"
Lee Greenwood also wrote on his X account, "I'm saddened by the loss of my friend of close to 50 years, Joe Bonsall. For so many years he was the high voice with The Oak Ridge Boys who I toured with almost every year of my career. Joe and I would have conversations on the road sometimes before a concert and sometimes afterwards about the crowd, the music and who we are as Americans. My family sends prayers to the Bonsall Family and The Oak Ridge Boys. We will miss you, Joe"!
Bellamy Brothers shared Joe's 1980 photo on their X account and they wrote, "It's Heartbreaking to hear the news about Joe Bonsall passing. Joey was a true road brother and a great friend for many years. Deepest Condolences to his family and to all the Oak Ridge boys organization and his many fans" .
Also John Rich John Rich Wrote "We lost the great Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys and country music is crying today. Joe was a real friend, and someone I looked up to not only as an artist, but as a man. He's left a legacy of incredible music, and endless accounts of his kind heartedness. Rip Joe Bonsall.
Eddie Montgomery also took to his X account and paid tribute by writing, "OMG!!!! I can't beleave we lost one of the greats as a singer entertainer and a person joe bonsall !! Man growing up listening to the oaks !! Love all them guys the lord needs him in choir !!!! Brother go rest easy.
Following Joe Bonsall's death, The band members said that at the request of Bonsall, there will be no funeral. Instead of flowers, they ask fans to donate to the ALS Association or Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
We extend our deepest condolences to Joe Bonsall's family and to the Oak Ridge Boys band.
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