Oak Bridge Boys Member, Joe Bonsall Dies At 76

Joe Bonsall, the celebrated tenor of the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76. The Grammy award-winning singer died from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neuromuscular disorder, according to a statement released by his family representatives.

“Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write,” the statement read. “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.”

A native of Philadelphia, Bonsall became a resident of Hendersonville, Tennessee. He joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973, leaving behind his previous gospel group, the Keystones. The Oak Ridge Boys, originally formed in the 1940s, experienced their golden era during Bonsall’s tenure, particularly in the 1980s.

Bonsall’s time with the group saw them achieve monumental success with hits like the 1981 signature song “Elvira,” which reached No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100. Other notable hits from this period include “Bobbie Sue” in 1982 and “American Made” in 1983.