Oak Ridge Boys singer Richard Sterban, who became an icon for his ‘oom-papa-oom-papa-mow-mow’ bass solo in the group’s 1981 chart-topping song Elvira, has died. He was 83.
Sterban passed away in Henderson, Tennessee, on Saturday, following ‘complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after fighting a long, hard battle with cancer,’ the band and his family announced in a press release.
On Facebook they shared: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our partner and brother, Richard Sterban.
‘We appreciate all of your love, support, and praters. Please continue to lift us up in this difficult time. We find comfort knowing that he is currently face to face with Jesus.’
Sterban was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2025, and made the diagnosis public the following September through an update shared by The Oak Ridge Boys.
‘In March of this year, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,’ Sterban wrote on the band’s website. ‘But I am under the care of the best cancer doctors in the country and, with the help of the Good Lord above, I believe I will be able to get through this.’
Oak Ridge Boys singer Richard Sterban has died at age 83Â following ‘complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after fighting a long, hard battle with cancer,’ the band and his family announced. Above, Sterban in 2023
The New Jersey-born crooner became an icon for his ‘oom-papa-oom-papa-mow-mow’ bass solo in the group’s 1981 chart-topping song Elvira. Above, L to R, Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Sterban in 1982
He continued: ‘Most days I’m feeling very good, and I hope to be back out on the road in several months.’
Sterban was famous for his deep bass singing voice, and it led to high-profile work backing music legends including Elvis Presley and Paul Simon.
Before joining The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972, Sterban sang bass with JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. They were hired by Presley in 1971 and performed with the king of rock ‘n roll on stage and in Elvis on Tour, including singing on the track Burning Love.
Sterban was then offered the bass position with The Oak Ridge Boys, which he took.
His voice was the driving force behind the band’s 17 number one country hits and 34 Top 10 singles.
Their singles included Dream On (1979), a cover of The Righteous Brothers’ hit; Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight (1979); Elvira (1981) featuring his rolling ‘oom-papa-oom-papa-mow-mow’ bass refrain; Bobbie Sue (1982); American Made (1983); and It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow) (1984) among many others.
Sterban and the band sang backup vocals on Simon’s 1977 hit single Slip Slidin’ Away.Â
In August 2011, Sterban was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry with the rest of The Oak Ridge Boys band members including Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and William Lee Golden.
Sterban was famous for his deep bass singing voice, and it led to high-profile work backing music legends including Elvis Presley and Paul Simon. Above, Sterban in 2000
In 2015, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates
Before joining The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972, Sterban performed with Presley on stage and in Elvis on Tour, including singing on the track Burning Love, as part of the JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. Above, Sterban in 2012
In August 2011, Sterban was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry with the rest of The Oak Ridge Boys band members. Above, Bonsall, Allen, Golden and Sterban in 1982 at The Grammys
‘We’ve had a very good year, and being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on August 6 was the highlight,’ Sterban said in an interview featured on MLive.
‘It was a memorable evening, and three months later, I think it’s affected us more than we anticipated. It’s been very emotional, a tremendous honor.’
Speaking to The Canton Repository, the singer said: ‘We were totally shocked. We had been friends of the Opry for years and always wanted to be members. For this to finally happen, it was like a dream come true.’
In 2015, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates.
Sterban performed for multiple US presidents with The Oak Ridge Boys and later sang Amazing Grace at George HW Bush’s funeral in December 2018.Â
Sterban was born in Camden, New Jersey, and grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey. After graduating from his local high school, he attended Trenton State College – now known as The College of New Jersey – and majoring in music.
He dropped out of college in the early 1960s to pursue a full-time singing career.
In his early days, he was a founding member of the gospel quartet the Keystones.
Sterban’s final performance on stage was in January this year at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was reunited with The Oak Ridge Boys to sing their classic hit Elvira. Above, the band in 2015
Sterban is survived by his wife Donna and their two daughters, along with three sons from a previous marriage. Above, Sterban and Donna in 2024
Later in his career while on breaks from the band, Sterban also recorded public announcements for NOAA Weather Radio.
He served as the official voice of The Roadhouse, the classic country channel on Sirius Satellite Radio, as it was then known, prior to its merger with Willie’s Place.
Sterban toured extensively with The Oak Ridge Boys for over 50 years until his cancer diagnosis forced him to take an extended medical leave.
His final performances on stage were on January 30 and January 31 this year at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
And there, he was reunited with The Oak Ridge Boys to sing their classic hit Elvira, which drew standing ovations from the audience.
Sterban is survived by his second wife, Donna Lynn Summers, and their two daughters, Lauren Nicole and Victoria Grace.
He also had three sons, Richard, Christopher and Douglas, with first wife Sandra Bertha Wilson.
