Richard Sterban, Oak Ridge Boys’ Bass Singer, Dies at 83

Richard Sterban, the Oak Ridge Boys’ bass vocalist who memorably provided his vocals to their precious “Elvira” cover, passed away Saturday. He was 83.

Sterban passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee, due to issues from bronchitis and pneumonia after combating a fight with cancer, his household and the Oak Ridge Boys revealed.

“We value all of your love, assistance, and prayers. Please continue to raise us up in this tough time, we discover convenience understanding that he is presently deal with to face with Jesus,” Sterban’s household stated in a declaration.

Born upon April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban started singing at 6 in Sunday school as a soprano. He sang tenor in his seventh-grade glee club, and upon his 8th grade, his voice dropped to bass.

He studied music at Trenton State College (modernly called the College of New Jersey), and started singing in a gospel quartet where he fulfilled Joe Bonsall, his future Oak Ridge Boys bandmate.

While singing part-time, Sterban signed up with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, whom Elvis Presley employed to sing behind him. He then sang and taped with the King of Rock and Roll, and likewise appeared in the 1972 performance movie Elvis on Tour

Sterban was then provided the chance to sign up with the Oak Ridge Boys after the departure of Noel Fox, which he accepted in 1972. Bonsall signed up with the group one year later on, with Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Sterban currently in the group, which continued as the faces of the band for 5 years.

They carried out with Johnny Cash, who assisted them sign with Columbia Records in 1973, though it sought opening for Roy Clark in 1975 when they fulfilled his manger, Jim Halsey, who would later on sign with the group.

They reached success with “Y’ all Come Back Saloon,” which reached No. 3 on the nation chart in 1977, and resulted in a string of hits. “I’ll Be True to You” became their very first No. 1 tune, though 1981’s “Elvira” would turn into one of their biggest successes.

Initially tape-recorded by Dallas Frazier, the Oak Ridge Boys’ variation of the track went to No. 1 on the nation chart and No. 5 on the pop chart, offered more than 2 million copies and won a Grammy. Sterban’s bass refrain was a significant touchpoint on the tune.

The Oak Ridge Boys went on to likewise enter of the Grand Ole Opry, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Sterban launched his narrative From Elvis to Elvira: My Life on Stagecomposed with Steven Robinson, in 2012.

Sterban is made it through by his partner, Donna; his children, Lauren (Tyler) and Tori (Michael); his children, Rich (Chele), Doug and Chris; his grandchildren, Mali (Zachary), Nikolas, Tyler (Ryann), Madelyn, Alexandra, Rex, Owen and Charli Grace; and his great-grandchildren, Salem, Asher and Theo. He was preceded in death by his mom, Victoria, bro, Joseph and grand son, Zachary.