Joe Bonsall, member of Oak Ridge Boys, passed away at the age of 76 following a battle with ALS, his family wrote. The news was confirmed by the band on X.
Blake Shelton, who released the 2016 track Doing It to Country Songs featuring The Oak Ridge Boys, paid his tributes, writing, “We all lost a special person today.”
“I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsalls passing,” Shelton, 48,
The rest of Bonsall’s fellow colleagues also paid their tributes to the late singer.
Reba McEntire posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, honoring her late friend. “Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend!”
“I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality,” Riba wrote alongside a photo of the two posing together. “I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba.”
Trace Adkins wrote, “Joe Bonsall was one of the kindest people I ever met. He was a rock star, and he was a wonderful human being. RIP Joe.”
“Joe could do anything he set his mind to do, but what impressed me the most was the energy, love, and compassion he put into everything he did and his unique gift to communicate those emotions and feelings into every performance, song, and book,” Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen said in a statement. “Joe was ‘that’ best friend that every person hopes to have in his life.”
Richard Stern said: “For many years, Joe was my best friend. We knew each other long before we both became members of The Oak Ridge Boys. He was a special person, who was loved by everyone and was a true inspiration to us all.”
Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, and his grand-children and great-grandchildren.
The singer of Elvira, Bobbie Sue, and American Made, passed away seven months after announcing his retirement.
Speaking to People, Bonsall said at the time, “Many of you know I have been battling a slow onset (over four years now) of a neuromuscular disorder. I am now to a point that walking is impossible so I have basically retired from the road.
“It has just gotten too difficult. 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.”
The musician added, “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.”
We are so very sorry for this loss. May he rest in peace.