The Oak Ridge Boys have always been grateful for their fans, but especially now. After the loss of Joe Bonsall last week, due to complications of ALS, the remaining members of the legendary group — William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban and Duane Allen — are speaking out to express their gratitude for the overwhelming expressions of love and support in the past week.

“On behalf of our entire Oak Ridge Boys family, we want to thank you for the outpouring of love during this difficult season,” the group says, in a statement shared on social media. “Your kind words, prayers and continued support have brought us comfort and strength. Your posts, photos and memories have been so abundant it has been impossible to acknowledge and share them all. But, rest assured, we see them. And we are grateful for each and every one of you.”

 

The Oak Ridge Boys also shared their thoughts on Bonsall, who had been part of The Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years, shortly after the news of his passing was announced.

“When I look at Joe Bonsall’s life, I see a life fulfilled,” Allen says. “The son of two military veterans, raised to become street-smart in the hood-influenced neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents taught him that he could be anything he wished to be if he worked hard, told the truth, and trusted in God.

“Joe could do anything he set his mind to do, but what impressed me the most was the energy, love, and compassion he put into everything he did and his unique gift to communicate those emotions and feelings into every performance, song, and book,” he continues. “Joe was ‘that’ best friend that every person hopes to have in his life.”

Sterban knew Bonsall even before their time together as part of The Oak Ridge Boys.

“For many years, Joe was my best friend,” the 81-year-old said. “We knew each other long before we both became members of The Oak Ridge Boys. He was a special person, who was loved by everyone and was a true inspiration to us all. He was also the best singing partner a person could have. For several years he bravely fought a terrible disease and was a trooper right up until the very end. There is no doubt that today, he is in a much better place – at HOME with Jesus. I will see you soon my dear friend.”

For Golden, the loss of Bonsall was especially heartbreaking, coming shortly after the unexpected loss of his son, Rusty Golden, just a week before.

“This has been a week of sadness with the loss of my son, Rusty Golden, and now the loss of our brother and our partner of over 50 years, Joe Bonsall,” says Golden. “Thankfully we have the memories made and the songs that we’ve sang together to get us through. It gives me comfort to know that Joe and Rusty are together again. Our prayers are with his family.”

In early January, Bonsall announced he was retiring from touring, due to the ongoing progression of a neuromuscular disorder, which we now know was ALS.

The Oak Ridge Boys are continuing on their American Made: Farewell Tour, which has included Ben James in Bonsall’s place since early January. Find all of their upcoming shows at OakRidgeBoys.com.

Bonsall’s family requested that donations be made to The ALS Association, Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center, or Alive Hospice, where Bonsall received care.