Stephen Lovekin – Getty Images
“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”
The country music world is mourning the loss of Joe Bonsall, member of the iconic Oak Ridge Boys. Joe passed away on July 9 due to complications from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). He was 76 years old.
Joe joined the country vocal quartet in 1973. The band, renowned for hits like “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue,” is in the midst of a farewell tour. Joe’s illness caused him to step away from the tour in January. At the time, the band announced on Instagram that Ben James would be taking his place.
According to a post by the official Oak Ridge Boys Instagram account, “Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame.” He also authored 11 books, including a memoir, I See Myself: Musings and Memories of a Blessed Life, due out in November.
Reba McEntire, who has been friends with Joe for years, shared a heartfelt tribute to the singer on Instagram. Reba shared the stage with the band during the 1987 “Thanks for Caring”TV special, and they honored President George H.W. Bush at his 2018 funeral.
She shared a photo with Joe from the 5th Annual ACM Honors in 2011 and wrote, “Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend! I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality. I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba.”
Mike Coppola – Getty Images
Blake Shelton shared a message on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsalls passing. I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and completely full of life. He absolutely loved singing like no one I ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his @oakridgeboys brothers. We all lost a special person today.”
The Oak Ridge Boys: American Made Farewell tour resumes at the end of July. Our hearts go out to Joe’s family and friends during this difficult time.
News
JoAnna Garcia Swisher Reveals What She Learned from the ‘Queen’ Reba McEntire—Prepare to Be Inspired!
“She’s just always bringing it.” Photo: Jean-Paul Aussenard/Getty Images It’s been almost two decades since JoAnna Garcia Swisher shared the screen with Reba McEntire, but the country queen’s impact on the actress remains as strong as ever. From 2001 to 2007—long before she brought…
Snoop Dogg’s Surprising Transformation from Rap Rebel to ‘America’s Most Lovable Person’ and The Voice’s New Coach
The hit rapper-turned-Olympics sweetheart gets candid about his wild ride in this week’s PEOPLE cover story If dogs are man’s best friend, then the artist now and forever known as Snoop D-O-double-G just might be America’s. Thirty years since Snoop Dogg sauntered…
Michael Bublé Takes His Coaching Role ‘Very Seriously’ on The Voice Season 26—Find Out What’s Driving His Dedication!
“Being empathetic and being spiritually connected was even more important than trying to find a winner,” Bublé says. Michael Bublé may boast himself as the “future winner” of The Voice in his Instagram bio, but this season is “not a game” to him….
When Does ‘The Voice’ Return? Season 26 Premiere Date, Time, and Snoop Dogg’s Coaching Debut Revealed!
It’s once again time to take a seat and listen to some blind singing auditions. “The Voice” returns this month for Season 26 with a new lineup of coaches recruiting promising talent to take to the very end. Along with returning…
Snoop Dogg, His Dad Vernell, and Son Cordell Look Shockingly Similar in This Photo
What a good-looking family photo, Snoop! With his unforgettable impact on the 2024 Summer Olympics and a first-time-ever stint as a Voice Coach rapidly approaching, you could argue we’re in a Snoop Dogg renaissance. He’s been a hip-hop pioneer and American culture influencer for as long as we can remember,…
Michael Bublé Gets Emotional Meeting Snoop Dogg—Watch Their Heartwarming Interaction!
What a touching moment between the two The Voice Season 26 Coaches! There’s a new bromance brewing on The Voice Season 26. In a special Behind the Mic backstage panel featuring the Season 26 Coaches—Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, Snoop Dogg—Snoop asked an intriguing question: “When you finally met that artist…
End of content
No more pages to load