Iconic country music group hit by 5 deaths in 2024: ‘They are missed’

The Oak Ridge Boys set out on their farewell tour in 2024, but sadly and tragically not everyone made it through the year unscathed.

Check the list of prominent country music singers and figures to die across the past year, and you will see many names with attachments to the band. The list includes tenor Joe Bonsall, who retired from the road in January, and died in July at the age of 88.

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It didn’t end there, though.

William “Rusty” Golden, the son of band member William Lee Golden, also died in July.

“This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face,” William Lee Golden said in a release. “I love my family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter, and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”

Also this year, Norah Lee Allen, the wife of frontman Duane Allen, died back on Easter. Allen addressed her death in a Facebook post a short time later.

“I have had a hard time even finishing sentences without crying since I lost the most beautiful lady I ever met, the love of my life,” he wrote. “I am so thankful to God almighty for letting me share her for 54 years and eight months of the happiest years of my life. She was the love of my life.”

Just hours after Allen announced his wife’s death on Easter, it was revealed that singer Richard Sterban’s wife, Donna, lost her father, too.

“Prayers for her family at this time of loss,” a post to the group’s X, formerly Twitter, page said. “Quite a memorable Easter … the good news is the promise of eternity with Jesus who conquered death that we may live.”

Also, Phyllis Carr, the wife of longtime guitarist Donnie Carr, died in March.

All that in mind, country music writer and producer Jimmy Carter — no, not the former president — took the social media to address the band recently.

“This time of year we think of those friends and family no longer with us,” he wrote. “I love the Oak Ridge Boys … all of them. I have promoted them every way I ever could and they were always great to me. I even went on tour with them riding in their bus. Joe leaving us this year left a hole in my heart. I enjoyed texting/talking visiting with him on the road or wherever. He was a bright light. That big smile … that energy on stage … and Norah Lee Allen, Duane’s wife leaving us too. We always stopped and chatted backstage at the Opry. And then there’s Rusty Golden. He left us way too soon. Takes my breath away. I hope the families all got through this season. They are missed and just wanted to tell you all I was thinking and praying for all that loved these two so much.”

The band’s Facebook page re-shared the post and wrote, “Thank you, Jimmy,” with a heart emoji.

Fans were quick to hop in to send prayers and thoughts to the band.

You can see the full post here.