HENDERSONVILLE, TN. (THECOUNT) — Richard Sterban, the longtime bass vocalist for the Grammy-winning country and gospel quartet The Oak Ridge Boys and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has died at 83.
Sterban died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Hendersonville, outside Nashville, from complications of bronchitis and pneumonia after a long battle with cancer, his family and the band said in a statement.
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Sterban joined The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972 after working as a backup singer for Elvis Presley. His deep bass voice became one of the group’s defining sounds, particularly on its signature hit, “Elvira.”
He continued touring regularly with the quartet until 2025, when his health deteriorated. The band later reunited with Sterban for a special performance at the Grand Ole Opry in January 2026.
The Oak Ridge Boys earned five Grammy Awards and received 23 nominations. The group also recorded 17 No. 1 country hits and performed for presidents, appeared on “American Bandstand” and the Grammy Awards telecast, and became members of the Grand Ole Opry.
The quartet toured with Johnny Cash and sang backup vocals on Paul Simon‘s hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.” Its best-known recordings include “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.”
Released in 1981, “Elvira” became a major crossover hit, reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Sterban and his three fellow Oak Ridge Boys members were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. The group entered the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001 and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2011.
Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young praised Sterban in a statement, saying the singer used his unmistakable bass voice to connect commercial country music with its gospel roots. Young also described him as a steady force and a foundational figure in country music.
A native of Camden, New Jersey, Sterban was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame in 1994 alongside fellow Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall, who died in 2024. The two had previously sung together in the Keystones.
Sterban is survived by his wife, Donna; daughters Lauren and Tori; sons Rich, Doug and Chris; and 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Sterban died in Hendersonville, in Sumner County, within the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee. The specific location of his death was not disclosed.
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