Richard Sterban, Oak Ridge Boys Bass Singer Who Helped Make ‘Elvira’ a Hit, Dies at 83

Richard Sterban, the bass singer behind the “oom poppa, trim trim” hook on among The Oak Ridge Boys’ greatest hits, “Elvira,” and whose profession introduced as a support vocalist for Elvis Presley, passed away on Saturday (Nov. 14). He was 83.

Sterban died due to problems from bronchitis and pneumonia in Hendersonville, Tenn., his household shared. He passed away after a long fight with cancer, and after retiring from visiting in 2015.

“We value all of your love, assistance, and prayers,” the Sterban household stated in a declaration launched on Saturday. “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, a member of The Oak Ridge Boys for more than 50 years with Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and the late Joe Bonsall, exposed a pancreatic cancer medical diagnosis in September 2025, stating at the time that he was “under the care of the very best cancer medical professionals in the nation and, with the aid of the Good Lord above, I think I will have the ability to make it through this.”

“Elvira”– The Oak Ridge Boys’ highest-charting single on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, a tune that turned into one of the quartet’s many No. 1sts on the Hot Country Songs chart, and the winner of a trio of significant awards (a Grammy Award, a CMA Award and an ACM Award) put Sterban’s deep singing front and center in the hit’s chorus.

Sterban was born in Camden, N.J., in 1934, and matured in neighboring Collingswood, where he sang at Sunday school and in his seventh grade glee club. He went to Trenton State College, now The College of New Jersey, to study music.

Before his expert journey in music led him to The Oak Ridge Boys, Sterban assisted discovered the gospel quartet The Keystones in the Philadelphia location; Bonsall, who would go on to sign up with The Oak Ridge Boys with him, likewise sang in the group.

In the early 1970s, Sterban discovered himself singing as a support singer for super star Elvis Presley.

For more than a year, he carried out with Elvis onstage with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, who appeared in the show movie Elvis on Tour (1972 ).

By 1972 the chance to sign up with The Oak Ridge Boys– then a gospel four-piece who had not yet moved to the noise that would make them a family name in c and w– came. The group’s previous bass vocalist Noel Fox had actually left. Sterban chose to take the gig.

Johnny Cash included The Oak Ridge Boys on trip, and the quartet would go on to sign with Cash’s supervisor, Jim Halsey, who’s credited with motivating them to enter nation.

Throughout his decades-long profession with The Oak Ridge Boys, Sterban won 5 Grammys, consisting of the award for finest nation efficiency by a duo or group with vocal in 1982 for “Elvira,” which had actually currently been called single of the year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Sterban’s deep voice was a focal point on the recording, which was penned by Dallas Frazier and produced by Ron Chancey.

“We took a look at each other and stated, ‘We believe this is the tune we’ve been trying to find,'” Sterban remembered in a 2012 interview with Signboard timed around the release of his autobiography, From Elvis to Elvira“To this day, I keep in mind the appearance was on everyone’s faces in the studio. They all were having a lot enjoyable, and smiling. I keep in mind Jimmy Capps was playing rhythm guitar, and he had such a smile on his face. I keep in mind Ron informing me, ‘You require to sing that oom papa cut trim part,’ and on Dallas’ variation, in addition to the one by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, the line was on there, however not as primary. He stated, ‘Take it and make it your own.'”

In later years, Sterban was inducted into the Philadelphia Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The Oak Ridge Boys entered of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011.

In a declaration emailed on Saturday, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young composed, “Richard Sterban was a musical bridge home builder. He utilized his apparent bass voice to link industrial c and w to its deep gospel roots. Maturing in New Jersey, a dream was born when he heard J.D. Sumner sing. Richard later on signed up with J.D. and the Stamps Quartet, accompanied Elvis Presley onstage, and ended up being a member of the Oak Ridge Boys in 1972. He assisted the supergroup accomplish seventeen # 1 hits, legions of fans the world over, and a well-deserved location in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Like his signature singing design, Richard Sterban was a constant force and a fundamental figure in c and w.”

C And W Association CEO Sarah Trahern composed, “Today we grieve the loss of a crucial part of the quartet that has actually ended up being a foundation of our category. Richard’s deep bass not just specified the noise of The Oak Ridge Boys, however likewise brought heat, soul, and character to every efficiency. His skill assisted shape tunes that ended up being really classic. Our hearts head out to Richard’s family and friends throughout this challenging time.”

Of his time carrying out with The Oak Ridge Boys, in 2012 Sterban informed Signboard“We are a really distinct group. If you take a look at the 4 people, we are so various from each other– like night from day. There’s something wonderful and unique about us as a foursome. I believe we understand we require each other, and we are a real group. We still anticipate getting on phase every night and taking our music to the audiences. I believe that’s extremely essential.”

Oak Ridge Boys tenor singer Joe Bonsall passed away from problems of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2024.

Sterban stepped far from carrying out live due in 2025 due to his health, however he did rejoin the present development of the group to sing “Elvira” at the Grand Ole Opry on Jan. 30 and 31, 2026. He likewise sang on their 2026 album Buried Treasureswhich showed up in October.

Sterban is endured by spouse Donna; children Lauren (Tyler) and Tori (Mitchell); children Rich (Chele), Doug, and Chris; grandchildren, Mali (Zachary), Nikolas, Tyler (Ryann), Madelyn, Alexandra, Rex, Owen, and Charli Grace and great-grandchildren Salem, Asher, and Theo. Funeral plans will be revealed at a later date.