Country Stars Mourn Loss of Oak Ridge Boys Singer Joe Bonsall: ‘Heartbroken’

Longtime Oak Ridge Boys singer Joe Bonsall has died at the age of 76, and a number of his fellow country stars were among those who turned to social media to share their tributes to the late country legend.

How Did Joe Bonsall Die?

Bonsall died on Tuesday (July 9) of complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), according to a statement from his publicist. The singer was a member of the Oak Ridge Boys for five decades before announcing his retirement from the group in January of 2024 due to his declining health.

Bonsall was a beloved figure in Nashville's music scene, and Blake Shelton was among those who reacted to the news of his death online, writing, " I’ve NEVER seen Joe when he wasn’t smiling and completely full of life."

Travis Tritt also weighed in, writing, "Joe had amazing talent and a wonderful personality and he will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him."

What Songs Did Joe Bonsall Sing?

Bonsall sang lead on some of the Oak Ridge Boys' biggest hits, including "Elvira," "Bobbie Sue" and "American Made." He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2015, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside the other Oak Ridge Boys.

Related: Country Stars Living With Serious Health Conditions

The Hall of Fame, the CMA and more country stars were among the others who paid tribute online. Scroll through the reactions below.

Sterling Whitaker is a Senior Writer and Senior Editor for Taste of Country. He focuses on celebrity real estate, as well as coverage of Yellowstone and related shows like 1883 and 1923. He's interviewed cast members including Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott and Harrison Ford, and Whitaker is also known for his in-depth interviews with country legends including Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs and more.