Introduction
The Oak Ridge Boys Mourn the Loss of Joe Bonsall: “We Will See Him Again”
Joe Bonsall – the legendary tenor voice of The Oak Ridge Boys – passed away at the age of 76 on July 9, 2024, after battling complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Bonsall was a cherished member of The Oak Ridge Boys for nearly five decades, leaving an indelible mark with his signature voice and unwavering love for music. He officially retired from the group in January 2024 due to health issues.
In a heartfelt statement posted on their official website, The Oak Ridge Boys shared the deep sorrow of losing their longtime friend and brother:
“Joseph S. Bonsall of Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed into glory on July 9, 2024, due to complications from ALS. He is survived by his beloved wife Maryanne, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Brienne, grandson Luke, two great-grandsons Chance and Gray, and his sister Nancy.”
Beyond his role as a performer, Bonsall was a true cultural icon. He was a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into multiple prestigious institutions, 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.
In addition to his music career, Joe was a prolific author, having written 11 books. His latest memoir, “I See Myself,” is set to be released in November. He had a deep love for singing, reading, writing, working on his farm, playing the banjo, and cheering for the Philadelphia Phillies—but above all, his faith and his family always came first.
News of his passing overwhelmed the band’s website with traffic, causing it to crash temporarily. The group posted the following update on Facebook:
“Our website is currently experiencing an overload and has temporarily crashed. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working to restore it as quickly as possible. Thank you for the outpouring of love for Joe.”
Per Joe’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. Instead of sending flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to the ALS Association or the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.
The Oak Ridge Boys closed their message with a powerful and emotional tribute:
“Joe loved to sing, write, work on the farm, and play music… but most of all, he loved Jesus and his family. We will see him again on the Promised Day.”