Jump to content

Joe Bonsall

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Joe Bonsall
Bonsall in 2013
Bonsall in 2013
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Sloan Bonsall Jr.
Born(1948-05-18)May 18, 1948
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 2024(2024-07-09) (aged 76)
Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresCountry, gospel
Occupation(s)Singer, author
InstrumentBanjo
Years active1973–2024
LabelsColumbia, ABC, MCA, RCA, Capitol, Spring Hill
Formerly ofThe Oak Ridge Boys
Websitewww.josephsbonsall.com

Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. (May 18, 1948 – July 9, 2024) was an American singer who was tenor vocalist of the the Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2023.[1] Besides charting numerous hits as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall had a solo hit guesting with Sawyer Brown on their 1986 single "Out Goin' Cattin'", on which he was credited as "Cat Joe Bonsall".

Biography

[edit]

Bonsall was born on May 18, 1948 in Philadelphia, to Joseph Sloan Bonsall Sr., and Lillie Maude Collins, who both served in World War II.[2][3] He also had a sister, Nancy Marie.

Bonsall performed in the Keystones, a gospel group based in the Northeastern United States until joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973.[2] As an author, he released a four-part children's book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books[4] and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie,[5] a book about his parents' lives during and after World War II. He also authored On The Road With The Oak Ridge Boys, An American Journey, From My Perspective, and An Inconvenient Christmas. His last book, I See Myself,[6] a memoir, was released posthumously in November 2024.

Bonsall was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys.[3]

Illness and death

[edit]

Bonsall missed tour dates in 2022 due to a pulmonary embolism. Mobility issues required him to perform most of his 2023 tour dates while seated.[7]

On January 3, 2024, Bonsall released a statement announcing his retirement from The Oak Ridge Boys due to a "slow-onset neuromuscular disease", posthumously revealed to be amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, with which he was diagnosed in 2019.[8] It had not initially affected his breathing or singing ability.[7] Ben James replaced him in the group.[8]

Bonsall died from complications of ALS in Hendersonville, Tennessee, July 9, 2024, aged 76.[6][9][10]

Discography

[edit]
Further information: The Oak Ridge Boys discography

Singles

[edit]
Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
[11] 		CAN Country
[12]
1986 "Out Goin' Cattin'"
(Sawyer Brown with "Cat" Joe Bonsall) 		11 4 Out Goin' Cattin'

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Oak Ridge Boys : Biography". CMT.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Hurst, Jack (October 13, 1984). "The Unlikely Rise And Continuing Reign of the Strangely-Rooted Oaks". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Friskics-Warren, Bill (July 10, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Tenor Voice of the Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 76". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  4. ^ "Oak Ridge Boys". www.oakridgeboys.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved July 8, 2011.
  5. ^ The full title of the book is "G.I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty" (2003) New Leaf Press ISBN 0-89221-537-2
  6. ^ a b Sherman, Maria; Huamani, Kaitlyn (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, celebrated tenor in the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76". AP News. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Watts, Cindy (September 19, 2023). "The Oak Ridge Boys Announce Farewell Tour". CMT. Archived from the original on September 28, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Black, Lauren Jo (January 3, 2024). "Joe Bonsall Bids Farewell to The Oak Ridge Boys After Five Decades on the Road". Country Now. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Willman, Chris (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music's Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76". Variety. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Grein, Paul (July 9, 2024). "Joe Bonsall, Longtime Member of The Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 76". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Hot Country Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Sawyer Brown - Country Singles". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
[edit]


Stub icon 1 Stub icon 2

This article about an American country singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Joe_Bonsall&oldid=1285059882"