The Oak Ridge Boys have faced an incredibly challenging year in the world of country music, with multiple losses and setbacks. The most recent tragedy was the passing of frontman Duane Allen’s wife, Norah Lee Allen, on Easter.
Duane Allen took to Facebook to express his gratitude for the outpouring of love and support he has received since his wife’s passing. He shared the difficulty he is facing in their home filled with memories and the process of going through six decades of collected items to preserve her legacy.
The emotional toll of losing his wife has been immense for Duane Allen, who described Norah as the love of his life and the most beautiful lady he ever met. The band has endured further 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.
Despite these hardships, The Oak Ridge Boys remain grateful for the support of fans and hope to continue performing together in honor of their late loved ones. Tenor Joe Bonsall announced his retirement from the road due to a medical condition at 75 years old, adding another challenge to this already difficult year for the band.
