Richard Sterban, a singer whose resonant basso profondo anchored the Oak Ridge Boys for more than five decades, died on Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee, at age 83.
His death followed complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after fighting a long battle with cancer, according to statements from his family and the band.
Leaving Elvis for a Dream
Born on April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban began singing hymns in Sunday school at age six and sang tenor in his seventh-grade glee club.
After graduating from Collingswood High School, he studied music at Trenton State College.
He eventually founded a gospel quartet called the Keystones before joining J.D.
“Richard Sterban (1943–2026) was a musical bridge builder. He used his unmistakable bass voice to connect commercial country music to its deep gospel roots. He helped the supergroup achieve seventeen No. 1 hits, legions of fans the world over, and a well-deserved place in the… pic.twitter.com/TLQha8e15q
Elvis Presley enlisted J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet to provide backing vocals for him over a period lasting roughly 18 months.
“I wanted to be in the best vocal group in the world,” said Richard Sterban.
Sterban contributed to rounding out the gospel ensemble alongside baritone William Lee Golden, tenor Joe Bonsall, and lead singer Duane Allen.
Beyond his vocal career, Sterban was a minority owner of the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team from 1978 to 2008.
Reaching the Stratosphere with Elvira
Sterban’s voice was the foundation of the group’s four-part harmonies, capable of hitting notes so low they could only be felt rather than heard, alongside notes higher than many tenors can reach.
His deep delivery drove the group’s 1981 cover of Dallas Frazier’s “Elvira”—a song previously recorded by Rodney Crowell and Kenny Rogers and the First Edition—where his spoken refrain transformed the track into a Grammy Award-winning record.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Sterban of The Oak Ridge Boys. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, bandmates, and all who knew and loved him. pic.twitter.com/fXMLmjZIhl
The track sold more than two million copies and earned Single of the Year honors from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Sterban also stepped forward on lead vocals for the 1979 Righteous Brothers remake “Dream On,” which reached No. 7 on the Billboard country chart and No. 1 in Canada.
With producer Dave Cobb, the group reached new listeners with projects including The Boys Are Back in 2009—which featured a four-part harmony version of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army”—followed by 17th Avenue Revival in 2018, Front Porch Singin’ in 2021, and Mama’s Boys in 2024.
Halls of Fame and Final Bows
During his tenure, the group placed 34 singles in the country Top 10, achieved 17 No. 1 hits, and earned Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards.
He helped the supergroup achieve 17 No. 1 hits, legions of fans the world over, and a well-deserved place in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Richard Sterban was a steady force and a foundational figure in country music.
Kyle Young
Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, also praised him as “a musical bridge builder” who “used his unmistakable bass voice to connect commercial country music to its deep gospel roots.”
Sterban stepped back from performing in September 2025 while battling cancer, though he later rejoined his bandmates for “Elvira” on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in January 2026, earning a standing ovation.
He detailed his life and career in his 2012 memoir, From Elvis to Elvira: My Life on Stage, written with Steven Robinson.
Donna is his surviving wife, joined by his daughters Tori (Michael) and Lauren (Tyler); his sons Chris, Doug, and Rich (Chele); his grandchildren Owen, Charli Grace, Rex, Alexandra, Madelyn, Ryann and Tyler, Nikolas, and Zachary and Mali; alongside his great-grandchildren Theo, Asher, and Salem. He was preceded in death by his mother, Victoria Sterban; his brother, Joseph Sterban; and his grandson, Zachary.
His family shared a message with supporters following his passing.
