Joe Bonsall, 50-Year-Member Of The Oak Ridge Boys, Has Died

Sad news out of Nashville today. Joe Bonsall, tenor singer for the legendary country group The Oak Ridge Boys,

died Tuesday from complications of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

. He was 76.

Bonsall announced his retirement from touring in January, revealing that life on the road had “gotten too difficult,” and that

the neuromuscular disorder

had robbed him of the ability to walk.  He was replaced by Ben James.

Born in Philadelphia, Bonsall joined

The Oak Ridge Boys

in 1973. During his five-decade run with the group he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The group famously

performed “Amazing Grace” at president George H.W. Bush’s funeral

in Houston.

“Joseph is also the author of 11 books including his latest, a memoir entitled

I See Myself

, which releases in November,” his obituary reads. “Joe loved to sing. He loved to read. He loved to write. He loved to play banjo. He loved working on the farm. And he loved the Philadelphia Phillies. But Jesus and his family always came first—and we will see him again on the Promised Day.”

Bonsall is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy.

Rest in peace, Joe.