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The Oak Ridge Boys paid tribute to late bandmate Joe Bonsall on Wednesday (July 9), one year after his death. He was 76.
“It’s been one year since our brother, Joe Bonsall, passed away from complications related to ALS. We miss you, Joe!” The Oak Ridge Boys wrote in a caption on Instagram with a photo by Danny Bitner for Bosnall’s book, I See Myself: Musings & Memories of a Blessed Life. “Let us know some your favorite memories of Joe.”
Bonsall died after complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, according to a statement shared on his website last year. Bonsall was born on May 18, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and was inducted into 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. Bonsall’s loss was mourned in an outpouring of tributes, including by Sara Evans, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire and more.
The Oak Ridge Boys were known for classics like “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made,” “Elvira” and more throughout the group’s decades-long career. The statement on Bonsall’s website last year remembered the country artist as someone who “oved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. 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. At the request of Joe, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.”