Country Music Hall of Famer Joe Bonsall Dies at 76

Oak Ridge Boys Tenor Passes After Long Illness

Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall Dies at 76

Country Music Hall of Famer and longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Bonsall, has died. He was 76 years old.

Bonsall passed away on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, after a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The news of his death was confirmed by his publicist.

Bonsall's death comes just over six months after he announced his retirement from The Oak Ridge Boys due to his declining health. The tenor singer had been a member of the group since 1973, and he helped them achieve many of their greatest successes, including their Grammy Award-winning hit "Elvira." He was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

"Joe was a true giant in country music," said The Oak Ridge Boys in a statement. "His voice was unmistakable, and his passion for singing was unmatched. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him."

Bonsall's death is the latest in a series of tragedies for The Oak Ridge Boys. In December 2023, the group's bass singer, Ronnie Dunn, passed away at the age of 71 after a battle with prostate cancer.

Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary, and their two children.