Richard Sterban, the bass voice of The Oak Ridge Boys for more than five decades and a Country Music Hall of Fame member, died Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee, due to complications from bronchitis and pneumonia following a cancer battle, according to the announcement from his family and the group. He was 83.
Sterban joined The Oak Ridge Boys in late 1972 after leaving a role singing behind Elvis Presley with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. He went on to anchor the group’s four-part harmony alongside Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Joe Bonsall, including his widely recognized bass refrain on the 1981 hit “Elvira.” According to the announcement, the group placed 34 singles in the country Top 10, with 17 reaching No. 1, and won Grammy, CMA and ACM awards. The group is also recognized as members of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban began singing gospel music before joining the Stamps Quartet and later The Oak Ridge Boys. He documented his career, including his time performing with Presley, in the memoir “From Elvis to Elvira: My Life on Stage,” published in 2012 with an updated edition in 2022.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by 2911 Media Alert, 2911.us.