Joe Bonsall, Longtime Member of The Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 76

Joe Bonsall, the tenor in The Oak Ridge Boys, died Tuesday from issues of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the group introduced on its web site and social media accounts.

He was 76 and died in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Bonsall had introduced his retirement from touring in the beginning of the 12 months.

The Oak Ridge Boys, wherein Bonsall teamed with Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, first discovered success as a gospel group. They segued into nation music in 1977 with “Y’All Come Again Saloon,” their first of 34 high 10 hits on Billboard’s High Nation Songs chart.

The Oaks landed 17 No. 1 hits on that chart, the third-highest whole amongst duos and teams after Alabama (33) and Brooks & Dunn (20). Two of the Oaks’ nation chart-toppers grew to become high 20 hits on the Billboard Sizzling 100 — “Elvira” (No. 5 in 1981) and “Bobbie Sue” (No. 12 in 1982).

The group landed three No. 1 albums on Billboard’s High Nation Albums chart, two of which grew to become high 20 albums on the all-genre Billboard 200 — Fancy Free (No. 14 in 1981) and Bobbie Sue (No. 20 in 1982).

The Oaks gained 5 Grammys. The primary 4 had been in gospel classes; the fifth in nation, for “Elvira.” That platinum-selling smash gained finest nation efficiency by a duo or group with vocal.

The Oaks gained two CMA awards — vocal group of the 12 months in 1978 and single of the 12 months in 1981 for “Elvira.”

They gained 4 ACM Awards — high vocal group in 1978, album of the 12 months that very same 12 months for Ya’ll Come Again Saloon, single document of the 12 months in 1981 for “Elvira” and the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2007. As a 50-year member of the The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Corridor of Fame, the Gospel Music Corridor of Fame, the Vocal Group Corridor of Fame and the Nation Music Corridor of Fame, the latter in 2015.

“For 50 years, Joe Bonsall was the Oak Ridge Boys’ sparkplug,” Kyle Younger, CEO of the Nation Music Corridor of Fame and Museum, stated in an announcement. “He was as thrilling a performer as any who ever hit a gospel or nation stage. His tenor voice was excessive and clear, and his jovial spirit all the time supplied a jolt of vitality, instantly rousing audiences to return on in and take a load off. He actually lightened our cares each time he sang.”

“After I consider the Oak Ridge Boys and their place in nation music historical past, the picture of Joe together with his big smile and boundless vitality involves thoughts so clearly,” Sarah Trahern, Nation Music Affiliation CEO, stated in an announcement. “His dedication to serving others whereas growing nation music right into a worldwide sensation won’t ever be forgotten and our trade has been made higher due to him. Right now, we misplaced an incomparable vitality and voice in music. He will probably be missed significantly by all who had been lucky to know him.”

Bonsall was additionally the creator of 11 books together with his newest, a memoir entitled I See Myself, which is ready for launch in November.

At Bonsall’s request, there will probably be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations could also be made to The ALS Affiliation or to the Vanderbilt Medical Heart ALS and Neuroscience Analysis Heart.

Survivors embrace his spouse, Mary Ann; daughters Jennifer and Sabrina; granddaughter Breanne; grandson Luke; great-grandsons Probability and Gray; and a sister, Nancy. He’s preceded in demise by his mother and father, Joseph S. Bonsall Sr. and Lillie Bonsall.

Bonsall’s demise comes simply eight days after the demise of William “Rusty” Golden, a musician, songwriter and son of The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden. The youthful Golden died July 1 at his residence in Hendersonville. He was 65.

This story was first printed on Billboard.