Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys has died. He was 83 years old. (Getty Images)
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Richard Sterban, whose incomparable voice helped make the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira” a country music classic, has died. He was 83 years old.
The singer died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from complications of bronchitis and pneumonia following a long battle with cancer, according to a statement from his family and the Oak Ridge Boys.
“We appreciate all of your love, support and prayers. Please continue to lift us up during this difficult time, we find comfort in knowing that he is currently face to face with Jesus,” his family said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.
Sterban publicly announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in September 2025, revealing that doctors diagnosed him in March. Despite his health issues, the country music veteran expressed hope that his faith and medical care would help him recover and return to the stage.
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Sterban announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis last year. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“With the help of the Good Lord above, I believe I will be able to get through this,” he declared at the time. He also thanked fans for their prayers and said he hoped to return to the road within several months.
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After stepping away from touring in May 2025, Sterban returned to the Grand Ole Opry on January 30 and 31, 2026, joining his bandmates for performances of “Elvira” that brought the audience to their feet, according to the announcement.
“Having Richard on stage with us again was one of God’s greatest blessings,” said fellow Oak Ridge Boys singer Duane Allen.
Richard Sterban, Tanya Tucker and William Lee Golden attend the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Class of 2026 medallion ceremony in Nashville, Tennessee on October 18, 2026. (Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)
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Born April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban began singing in Sunday school at age 6. His voice transitioned from soprano to bass in eighth grade, setting him on a path that would eventually take him from gospel quartets to some of music’s biggest stages.
Before joining the Oak Ridge Boys, Sterban performed behind Elvis Presley as a member of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. He toured and recorded with Presley and appeared in the 1972 concert film, “Elvis on Tour.”
Later that year, he quit his job to become the bassist for the Oak Ridge Boys.
“I wanted to be part of the best vocal group in the world,” Sterban said, according to the announcement.
Alongside singer Allen, baritone William Lee Golden and tenor Joe Bonsall, Sterban helped transform the Southern gospel quartet into a country and pop crossover group. Their hits included “Y’all Come Back Saloon,” “Bobbie Sue,” and “American Made.”
The Oak Ridge Boys said it was a “blessing” to share the stage with their bandmate earlier this year. (Omar Vega/WireImage)
But it was Sterban’s booming bass refrain on the group’s 1981 recording “Elvira” that became his musical calling card. The song reached number one on the country chart and number five on the pop chart and won a Grammy Award.
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“This is the song everyone hopes to hear at our concerts,” Sterban said on his 40th birthday, according to the release.
The group became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Their decades together also forged deep personal bonds.
In January 2021, Allen reflected on his relationship with Sterban, Golden and Bonsall.
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – AUGUST 22: Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys perform during the Kentucky State Fair on August 22, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images) (Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
“I think the four of us have become closer than we’ve ever been in our entire careers,” Allen told Fox News Digital at the time.
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The Oak Ridge Boys also developed a lasting friendship with former President George HW Bush. At his request, they performed “Amazing Grace” at his funeral in Houston in December 2018, taking an overnight flight from a concert in Washington state to attend.
“There’s no way we’re not going to do this,” Sterban said, according to the announcement.
Offstage, Sterban was an avid baseball fan and co-owner of the Nashville Sounds minor league team for 30 years. He continued recording late in life, contributing several tracks to the Oak Ridge Boys’ October 2026 album, “Buried Treasures.”
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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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