Richard Sterban, Bass Voice of the Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 83
Richard Sterban, the bass voice of the Oak Ridge Boys, died on November 14 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 83. The group and Sterban's family announced his death the same day: he died of complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after a long, hard battle with cancer.
The Oak Ridge Boys called Sterban "our partner and brother" in their statement. His family said: "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." Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association (CMA), said Sterban's bass not only defined the quartet's sound but also brought warmth, soul and character to every performance, and the CMA also posted a tribute on Saturday evening.
Sterban was born on April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, and grew up in nearby Collingswood, singing in Sunday school from the age of six. He sang behind Elvis Presley before joining the Oak Ridge Boys in 1972, and alongside lead singer Duane Allen, baritone William Lee Golden and tenor Joe Bonsall he helped carry the Southern gospel quartet into the heart of country and pop music. His bass run on the group's 1981 No. 1 single "Elvira," famous for its "oom-papa-mow-mow" refrain, became one of the most familiar sounds in American music. The group placed 34 singles in the country Top 10, 17 of them at No. 1, earned Grammy, CMA and Academy of Country Music awards, became members of the Grand Ole Opry, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sterban was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2025, made the diagnosis public that September and stepped back from touring. In late January 2026 he rejoined the group on the Grand Ole Opry stage to sing "Elvira," and the audience rose to its feet. He called Hendersonville home for more than 50 years; in October 2025 the city dedicated the Oak Ridge Boys Bridge over Drakes Creek, and Sterban said at the time: "There is no greater honor than to be honored by your hometown."
He is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughters, Lauren and Tori; his sons, Rich, Doug and Chris; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Source: Statement from The Oak Ridge Boys and the Sterban family
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Richard Sterban（2019年）。Banditz71 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons，本图已预裁为 16:9。 / Photo: Richard Sterban in 2019. By Banditz71, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; pre-cropped to 16:9.
