Joe Bonsall, the celebrated tenor of the Oak Ridge Boys, passed away on July 9 at the age of 76 due to complications from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Oak Ridge Boys announced his death in a heartfelt statement on their website, highlighting his remarkable 50-year tenure with the group. Bonsall was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into several prestigious halls of fame, including the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Bonsall’s smooth tenor voice was a defining element of the Oak Ridge Boys’ sound, leading some of their biggest hits like “American Made,” “Bobbie Sue,” and their signature song “Elvira,” which ranked Number 193 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. On stage, Bonsall was known for his energetic performances, often seen jumping up and down, interacting with the musicians, and flashing a big smile. In the 1980s, his curly hair and long mustache made him instantly recognizable.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ statement also reflected on Bonsall’s passions beyond music. “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.”
In addition to his musical career, Bonsall was a prolific author, having written 11 books, including his recent memoir, “I See Myself,” which was released last year. He joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973 and announced his retirement from touring earlier this year due to his battle with ALS. Despite his retirement, the Oak Ridge Boys planned to return to the studio to record another album with producer Dave Cobb.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Bonsall began his music career in Pennsylvania, moving to Harrisburg in the late 1960s to sing with the gospel group the Keystone Quartet. It was through the gospel world that he met Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys. When the band needed a bass and tenor singer in the early 1970s, they enlisted Bonsall and Sterban.
Bonsall once described the Oak Ridge Boys as the most innovative quartet in gospel music, noting their rock approach, full band, and unconventional style for the time. This new lineup of Bonsall, Sterban, Allen, and Golden became the most stable and successful in the band’s history, leading to their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ big breakthrough came when they started to embrace country music, thanks to the encouragement of Roy Clark’s manager, Jim Halsey. Bonsall recalled Halsey telling them they were just one hit record away from being a major act. This push led to a series of successful country singles, starting with “I’ll Be True to You” in 1978. Their 1981 album “Fancy Free” was certified twice platinum, driven by hits like “Elvira” and “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free.”
“Elvira” was a major crossover success, reaching Number Five on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning the Oak Ridge Boys their first non-gospel Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal. During this prolific period, the Oak Ridge Boys collaborated with numerous country legends and even worked with artists like Paul Simon and Ray Charles.
The Oak Ridge Boys continued to release music and tour through the 1980s and 1990s, though not without some changes. Golden left the band after 1987’s “Where the Fast Lane Ends,” and was replaced by Steve Sanders and later Allen’s son, Dee. Despite a dip in chart success, the group remained active, releasing “The Long Haul” in 1992 and “Revival” in 1997, marking their return to gospel music.
Golden rejoined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1996, and the group continued to embrace gospel into the new millennium. In 2009, they partnered with producer Dave Cobb for “The Boys Are Back,” which featured a mix of country, pop, and rock hits. The Oak Ridge Boys continued to record and tour in the 2010s, celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2013 and being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
In September 2023, the Oak Ridge Boys announced their “American Made Farewell Tour” to celebrate their 50 years together. Bonsall expressed his excitement about the tour and making new music, despite his retirement from the road due to ALS. He shared his gratitude for the support he received from the Oak Ridge Boys, their crew, and fans.
At Bonsall’s request, no funeral will be held. Instead, donations are encouraged to the ALS Association or the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center. Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; daughters Jennifer and Sabrina; sister Nancy; granddaughter Breanne; grandson Luke; and great-grandsons, Chance and Grey.
Source: Maria Sherman, Kaitlyn Huamani
