Remembering Joe Bonsall
• Joe Bonsall, a member of Country music’s legendary Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years, died Tuesday, July 9 at the age of 76. The cause of death was revealed as complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
As Variety reports, Bonsall, who had been with the group since 1973, announced his retirement from touring with the group in January, citing his illness, as The Oak Ridge Boys had continued their farewell tour in his absence.
The Oak Ridge Boys were best known by crossover audiences for their 1981 smash “Elvira,” which not only hit No. 1 on the Country chart but went Top 5 on the Pop chart. Altogether the band had 17 No. 1 Country songs and 34 Top 10 Country hits. Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with three of his fellow group members in 2015, and The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000.
Over the course of his life Bonsall had written 11 books, including a memoir, titled I See Myself, due to be published in November.
A statement issued by The Oak Ridge Boys, stated, “Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first — and we will see him again on the Promised Day.”
Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, commented, “When I think of the Oak Ridge Boys and their place in Country Music history, the image of Joe with his huge smile and boundless energy comes to mind so clearly. His commitment to serving others while developing Country Music into a worldwide sensation will never be forgotten and our industry has been made better because of him. Today, we lost an incomparable energy and voice in music. He will be missed greatly by all who were fortunate to know him.”
Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, two grandchildren, two great grandsons, and a sister, Nancy. At his request, no funeral will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center. [Photo credit: Jon Mir]
