Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
Joseph Sloan Bonsall Jr. (May 18, 1948 – July 9, 2024) was an American singer who was tenor vocalist of the Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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'Template:-", on which he was credited as "Cat Joe Bonsall".
BiographyEdit
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.<ref name="bb"/><ref name=nyt>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="bb">Template:Cite magazine</ref> As an author, he released a four-part children's book series in 1997 titled The Molly Books<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and in 2003 published GI Joe and Lillie,<ref>The full title of the book is "G.I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty" (2003) New Leaf Press Template:ISBN</ref> 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,<ref name="AP-Obit" /> 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.<ref name=nyt />
Illness and deathEdit
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.<ref name=farewelltour>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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.<ref name=bonsallbidsfarewell/> It had not initially affected his breathing or singing ability.<ref name=farewelltour/> Ben James had already replaced him in the group by the time of the announcement.<ref name=bonsallbidsfarewell>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Bonsall died from complications of ALS in Hendersonville, Tennessee, July 9, 2024, aged 76.<ref name="AP-Obit">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
DiscographyEdit
SinglesEdit
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
CAN Country <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |
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}}</ref> | ||
| 1986 | "Out Goin' Cattin'Template:-" Template:Small |
11 | 4 | Out Goin' Cattin' |
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
- {{#if:|Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs|{{#if:Template:Wikidata|Template:Wikidata Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at DiscogsTemplate:EditAtWikidata|Template:PAGENAMEBASE discography at Discogs}}}}
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