Vince Gill is mourning the loss of his good friend, Joe Bonsall. Bonsall, a member of The Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years, passed away on July 9, from complications from ALS. Gill honored Bonsall at his recent Grand Ole Opry performance, offering a touching tribute to the country music icon.
“I wanted to sing a couple of songs tonight in memory of my sweet friend Joe Bonsall,” Gill said from stage (via Whiskey Riff). “We were friends for 42 years. He was the high singer in the Oak Ridge Boys for all those years. My heart’s broken for him and his family.”
@whiskeyriff @Vince Gill #whiskeyriff #grandoleopry #oakridgeboys #elvira ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
Gill performed “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Day Light” and “Elvira,” both songs by The Oak Ridge Boys, before performing his own “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” in memory of Bonsall.
Bonsall retired from touring at the beginning of the year, citing the ongoing progression of a neuromuscular disorder, which was revealed as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) after he passed away. The loss is devastating for the country music community, but especially for Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban, the remaining members of the legendary group.
“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.”
@whiskeyriff @Vince Gill #whiskeyriff #grandoleopry #oakridgeboys #countrymusic ♬ original sound – Whiskey Riff
Tributes for Bonsall poured in as soon as his passing was announced,
“I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsalls passing,” Blake Shelton said. “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 Oak Ridge Boys brothers. We all lost a special person today.”
“So saddened by the news of the passing of Joe Bonsall …he was such gentleman and truly one of the kindest and most hard working men in music,” Terri Clark said. “His heart and energy will be dearly missed. Sending love and prayers to friends and family.”
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 pic.twitter.com/s1OWw4v8Ba
— Reba McEntire (@reba) July 10, 2024
“Joe, you were a terrific entertainer, singer, and a wonderful friend!” Reba McEntire wrote on social media. “I’ll sure miss your smiling face and your bubbly personality. I can’t wait to see you again. Love, Reba”
Per Bonsall’s request, a memorial service will not be held. The 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.