Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, and Joe Bonsall, who died from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) earlier this week, came together at different points to form The Oak Ridge Boys band, making waves in the gospel and country genre since then.
Joe’s passing at 76 came months after he announced his retirement from touring with the group due to his ailment, leading to him being replaced by tenor vocalist Ben James. Bonsall spent five decades with the group since joining in the ‘70s and had independent achievements while also being an active bandmate.
The last Oak Ridge Boys’ performance featuring Bonsall
Bonsall’s bandmates held a grand farewell for him last year with a joint performance of “Mama’s Table,” which is now making rounds on YouTube after the icon’s passing. The 95-second clip has received nearly 3,000 views so far, with comments from fans grieving Bonsall’s death.
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One could easily spot Bonsall perched on a stool in a patterned shirt and pants as he joined the rest of his standing bandmates to serenade the crowd. “What an INCREDIBLE VIDEO!” someone exclaimed. “Rest in peace, Joe,” another added with a teary-eyed emoji.
Bonsall’s battle with ALS
Bonsall was diagnosed with ALS in 2020 and was quite vocal about his health on social media, detailing what he was going through at different points. The rare neurological disease, which reportedly affects about 31,000 people in the whole United States, is marked by difficulty with muscle control, which in turn makes simple movements like breathing, talking, or even eating, difficult.
Despite his condition, Bonsall continued to deliver value, singing with his boy band and writing multiple books, including his latest memoir, I See Myself, which will be released later this year. It was not until January 2024 that Bonsall was forced to take a backseat due to his inability to walk. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, their daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, two grandchildren, and their great-grandchildren.