Why was William Lee Golden fired from the Oak Ridge Boys?

Answer 1

First Answer

He actually started the band. They wanted to go big, but he wanted to stay small-town. They forced him out of the group. He later was asked to come back because he was the most popular during that time. (He performed with his sons, Chris and Rusty in The Goldens, during the time when he was not with the ORB)

Answer

In 1987, after much discussion, he left the group. There have been various reasons given, such as, his appearance -- stopping cutting his hair and beard, recording a solo album without telling the other members... After the singer who replaced him died, the rest of the group discussed it together and then with Golden and decided to come together, forgive each other, and put the past behind.

The group hit their peak in the early 1980s (1981-83). The Oak Ridge Boys officially started in 1962 and Golden joined in 1964 -- making him the longest-running member in the history of the group.

Another Answer

He was the longest tenured member when he was fired, not face to face, but by letter. (that letter belongs in The Country Music Hall Of Fame). Golden was not only the heart and face of The Oak Ridge Boys, he was the Chairman Of The Board of their business empire. He hired the other three. It was under his vision that they went from being a popular gospel group to the top of the Country & Pop charts. After they forced him out of the group, he traveled and performed with his sons, Chris and Rusty in The Goldens.

In 1987, he was terminated by the group. There have been various reasons given, such as, his appearance -- stopping cutting his hair and beard, his growing popularity, musical differences, being the only one of the four asked by MCA Records to record a solo album, promoting himself more than the group, ect. The real reasons were more likely lack of communication, jealousy and greed. After the singer who replaced committed suicide, they were given little choice in their career but to reunite with Golden, forgive each other, and put the past behind.

The group hit their peak in the early 1980s (1981-83). The Oak Ridge Boys officially started in 1962 and Golden joined in 1964 -- making him the longest-running member in the history of the group.