Richard Sterban, the bass singer whose deep voice anchored The Oak Ridge Boys’ hit “Elvira,” died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 83.
His family and the band said he died from complications of bronchitis and pneumonia following a long battle with cancer. Sterban had publicly disclosed a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in September 2025, saying doctors had identified the disease that March.
“We appreciate all of your love, support, and prayers. Please continue to lift us up in this difficult time, we find comfort knowing that he is currently face to face with Jesus,” his family said in a statement.
At the time of his diagnosis, Sterban said he was hopeful about his recovery. “With the help of the Good Lord above, I believe I will be able to get through this,” he said, adding that he hoped to return to performing within months.
He stepped away from touring in May 2025 but returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage on Jan. 30 and 31, 2026, performing “Elvira” with his bandmates to audiences who rose to their feet. Fellow Oak Ridge Boys singer Duane Allen called it “one of God’s greatest blessings” to have Sterban on stage again.
Sterban was born April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, and began singing in Sunday school at age 6. His voice dropped from soprano to bass by eighth grade. Before joining The Oak Ridge Boys, he sang with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet behind Elvis Presley, touring and recording with him and appearing in the 1972 concert film “Elvis on Tour.” He left that role later that year to become the Oak Ridge Boys’ bass singer, saying, “I wanted to be in the best vocal group in the world.”
Alongside Allen, baritone William Lee Golden and tenor Joe Bonsall, Sterban helped turn the group from a Southern gospel quartet into a country and pop crossover act, scoring hits including “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.” His booming bass line on the 1981 recording of “Elvira” became his signature, reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on the pop chart and winning a Grammy. “It’s the song everyone hopes to hear at our concerts,” Sterban said on its 40th anniversary.
The Oak Ridge Boys became Grand Ole Opry members in 2011 and were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. In January 2021, Allen told Fox News Digital, “I think the four of us have grown closer than we’ve ever been in our whole career.”
The group also formed a close friendship with former President George H.W. Bush, performing “Amazing Grace” at his funeral in Houston in December 2018 at his request, flying overnight after a concert in Washington state to make it. “There’s no way we wouldn’t do it,” Sterban said.
Outside music, Sterban was a devoted baseball fan and a part owner of the Nashville Sounds minor league team for 30 years. He continued recording late in life, contributing to tracks on the band’s October 2026 album, “Buried Treasures.”
Sterban is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters Lauren and Tori; sons Rich, Doug and Chris; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
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