He lost a great deal. Whatever your opinion of Blake Shelton, he didn’t deserve this.

Blake Shelton, a member of The Oak Ridge Boys from 1973 to 2024, wrote a moving ode to his late buddy Joe Bonsall. On Instagram Stories, Blake shared a picture of them singing together and said, “I’m heartbroken to hear of my friend Joe Bonsall’s death.” “I’ve never seen Joe not smiling and bursting with life,” he continued. More than anyone I’ve ever met, he liked to sing.

The disease that killed Joe Bonsall was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which damages voluntary muscles. Four years after he started fighting the sickness, fans found out about his condition in January 2024. Joe had two daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was married to Mary Ann.

Joe was a successful writer as well; his autobiography, *I See Myself*, is scheduled for publication in November. The Oak Ridge Boys, who are well-known for songs like “Elvira” and “Bobbie Sue,” are paying tribute to Joe’s legacy by continuing their American Made: The Farewell tour.