The Oak Ridge Boys have been hit hard in the world of country music this year with multiple losses. First, two band members lost their wives and another had to medically retire. The most recent tragedy was the passing of frontman Duane Allen’s wife, Norah Lee Allen, on Easter.
Duane took to Facebook to express his heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and support he has received since his wife’s passing. He shared how difficult it is for him to be at home surrounded by memories and going through six decades of collected items to preserve her legacy.
The emotional toll of losing his wife has been immense for Duane, who described Norah as the love of his life and the most beautiful lady he ever met. The band has faced even more challenges this year with the loss of singer Richard Sterban’s wife’s father and the passing of guitarist Donnie Carr’s wife earlier in the year.
To make matters worse, tenor Joe Bonsall announced his retirement from the road due to a medical condition at the age of 75. Despite all these hardships, The Oak Ridge Boys remain grateful for their fans’ support and hope that eternity will bring them solace during these difficult times.
