Blake Shelton paid tribute to his late friend Joe Bonsall, who passed away recently. Joe was a longtime member of The Oak Ridge Boys, a celebrated country and gospel group, from 1973 until his death in 2024.
On Tuesday, Blake, 48, shared a heartfelt photo on his Instagram Stories of himself performing alongside The Oak Ridge Boys. While the exact details of the photo’s location and date are unclear, Blake expressed his sorrow over Joe’s passing, saying: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Joe Bonsall”.
He fondly recalled: “I have never seen Joe without a genuine smile on his face. He loved singing more than anyone I’ve ever met”. Blake extended his thoughts and prayers to Joe’s family and fellow bandmates, stating: “Today, we have all experienced the loss of someone truly important”.
In 2016, Blake and The Oak Ridge Boys collaborated on the song “Doing It to Country Songs”. Joe’s death was attributed to Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive condition affecting voluntary muscle control, which has no known cure. Fans became aware of Joe’s struggle with the illness in January 2024, four years after he announced his condition and retirement from the band.
Joe is survived by his daughters, Jennifer and Sabrina, from his marriage to Mary Ann, as well as two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Bonsall family shared in a statement that Joe authored 11 books, with his memoir, I See Myself, scheduled for release in November. He cherished his time at the farm and was a devoted fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, but emphasized that his faith and family were his greatest priorities.
The Oak Ridge Boys, consisting of Joe, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen, and William Lee Golden, are famous for hits like “Elvira”, “Come On In” and “Bobbie Sue”. The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 and has won five Grammy Awards. As the group embarks on a farewell tour that will last for about a few month, they reflect on their legacy, despite the original lineup no longer being intact. Joe’s love for music, reading, and writing, along with his skills on the banjo, will be fondly remembered by fans and loved ones alike.
MICHAEL JACKSON’S SURROGATE SON BLANKET, 21, LOOKS ‘HANDSOME’ & ‘EXACTLY’ LIKE DAD, FANS CLAIM
Michael Jackson passed away in June 2009 due to cardiac arrest caused by an accidental drug overdose, leaving behind three children: Paris, Blanket (also known as “Bigi”), and Prince Jackson. On August 29, 2023, which would have been their late father’s 65th birthday,
Blanket and Prince were seen in Las Vegas after attending the “Michael Jackson ONE” show by Cirque du Soleil at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Paris, the third sibling, was on tour with the rock band Incubus.
Prince, in blue jeans and a gray T-shirt, engaged with fans, receiving a drawing of Michael and returning the gesture with a hug. Blanket, rarely seen in public, wore black attire, and fans noted his resemblance to Michael.
During a TV interview in 2021, Blanket, also known as Prince Michael Jackson II, expressed his passion for environmentalism and urged people to address climate change.
Born on February 21, 2002, via surrogate, Blanket is the only biological child of Michael Jackson. Reports suggest that a Mexican nurse named Helena served as the surrogate, chosen by Michael, with a separate egg donor. At Prince’s Thriller Night Halloween Party in 2021,
Blanket highlighted the historical significance of their home and studio, reflecting his father’s essence. He emphasized the family’s desire to create things for people’s enjoyment and benefit.
Having no plans to pursue a musical career like his father, Blanket maintains a low profile and resides in Calabasas, California, in a house purchased in March 2020.
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