Joe Bonsall of the legendary quartet Oak Ridge Boys has bid farewell to his bandmates and announced in an emotional statement that he will be stepping away from touring due to ongoing health concerns.
“Many of you know that I have been battling a slow-onset neuromuscular disorder (for over four years now),” the tenor wrote in X. “I'm now at the point where it's impossible to walk, so I've basically retired from the road. It's become too difficult.”
The group is currently on their farewell tour, and Bonsall, 75, has been spotted singing on a chair.
Oak Ridge Boys' Duane Allen reflects on “minor grievances'' within the band when his career was “exploding''
Joe Bonsall (left) raises his hand from his chair to the audience while performing with the Oak Ridge Boys in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“It's been an amazing 50 years. Thank you to the entire Oak Ridge Boys band crew and staff for the continued love and support you've shown me over the past 50 years,” he wrote. “I will never forget. I would like to thank everyone who has constantly supported me in prayer and ask you to continue to pray for me,” he added.
Joe Bonsall was photographed performing on a stool in 2022. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
Bonsall soon decided to stop presenting and praise his successor, musician Ben James.
“There's a young man named Ben James singing for me and he needs your love and encouragement… His sound is different than mine, but he brings a lot of talent to the table. Give it to me! @oakridgeboys are going to finish the farewell tour without me, but please rest. I'm sure everything will be okay! God got it!!!”
The Oak Ridge Boys were founded in 1943. The photo is of them he performed with in 1984. (Paul Nutkin/Getty Images)
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
James, a 27-year-old musician, first appeared with them at a concert in West Virginia in 2022.
“Joe handed me the microphone and said, 'You've got your next verse,' and I don't know if I'll ever get over that moment,” James recalled, according to People magazine. When I was a kid, “Elvira” was always on repeat. It's still one of those timeless songs that never gets old. ”
The Oak Ridge Boys consisted of baritone William Lee Golden, tenor Joe Bonsall, bassist Richard Sterban, and lead vocalist Duane Allen. (Paul Nutkin/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The band was originally formed in 1943 and during its heyday in the '70s and '80s consisted of baritone William Lee Golden, tenor Bonsall, bassist Richard Sterban, and lead vocalist Duane Allen. I did.
They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
A representative for the group did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment, but the group reposted news of Bonsall's retirement on X.
