Richard Sterban, the resonant bass voice that lifted the Oak Ridge Boys to worldwide fame, passed away on Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The family said he succumbed to complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after a prolonged battle with cancer. In their statement they added, “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.”
Born on April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban first discovered his vocal talent in a Sunday school choir, singing as a soprano at age six. As he progressed to seventh-grade glee club he sang tenor, but by eighth grade his voice settled into the deep range that would define his career. He pursued formal music studies at Trenton State College, now known as the College of New Jersey, where he also performed in a gospel quartet that introduced him to future Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall.
From Gospel Roots to Elvis’s Road Band
While still navigating part-time gigs, Sterban joined J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, a group that caught the attention of Elvis Presley. Presley hired the Stamps to back him on tour, giving Sterban a front-row seat to rock-and-roll history. His work with the King is captured in the 1972 concert documentary Elvis on Tour, where his bass lines can be heard supporting the iconic performer.
Joining the Oak Ridge Boys and Early Breakthroughs
In 1972, following the departure of Noel Fox, Sterban accepted an invitation to become the bass singer for the Oak Ridge Boys. The line-up (Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Joe Bonsall and Sterban) solidified the group’s modern identity and would endure for five decades. Johnny Cash championed the quartet, helping secure a contract with Columbia Records in 1973. Their first major chart success arrived with “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” which climbed to No. 3 on the country chart in 1977 and paved the way for a string of hits.
Elvira and the Grammy-Winning Era
The 1981 rendition of Dallas Frazier’s “Elvira” transformed the Oak Ridge Boys into pop-country superstars. Sterban’s iconic “oom-pop-pa-mow-mow” bass refrain became the song’s signature hook. The single topped the country chart, reached No. 5 on the pop chart, sold over two million copies, and earned a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Subsequent chart-toppers such as “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made,” and “Gonna Take a Lot of River” reinforced the group’s commercial dominance, ultimately contributing to more than 41 million records sold and five Grammy awards.
Later Years, Memoir, and Family Legacy
Beyond the stage, Sterban authored a memoir titled From Elvis to Elvira: My Life on Stage in 2012, co-written with Steven Robinson, offering personal insights into his journey from gospel choirs to global arenas. He stepped back from touring in May 2025 due to health concerns but returned in to perform “Elvira” at the Grand Ole Opry, delighting longtime fans. He is survived by his wife Donna, three daughters, three sons, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Preceding him were his mother Victoria, brother Joseph, and a grandson named Zachary. His induction into the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 cements a lifelong contribution to American music.
