Richard Sterban, whose deep bass made the "oom papa mow mow" refrain on "Elvira" one of country music's most recognizable sounds, died Saturday, Nov. 14, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 83. His family and The Oak Ridge Boys said he died from complications of bronchitis and pneumonia after a long battle with cancer.
The Oak Ridge Boys called Sterban their "partner and brother" in announcing his death. His family thanked fans for their support and asked for continued prayers, saying, "We find comfort knowing that he is currently face to face with Jesus."
Born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1943, Sterban began singing in Sunday school at age six, when he was still a soprano. He went on to sing Southern gospel with the Keystones, where he and future Oak Ridge Boys tenor Joe Bonsall first sang together. Sterban later joined J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, sang backup for Elvis Presley and appeared in the 1972 concert film Elvis on Tour. That same year, he left Presley's touring group to join The Oak Ridge Boys.
With Duane Allen, William Lee Golden and Bonsall, Sterban carried the quartet's gospel harmonies into country and pop. "Elvira" reached No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981. "Bobbie Sue" and "American Made" followed. The quartet won five Grammy Awards, joined the Grand Ole Opry in 2011 and entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Museum CEO Kyle Young remembered Sterban as a singer who used his bass voice to connect country music with its gospel roots.
Sterban disclosed in September 2025 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that March. He thanked fans for their prayers and said he hoped to sing with the group again. In January 2026, he did. He rejoined his bandmates for two Grand Ole Opry appearances, where audiences gave him standing ovations when he sang his trademark "Elvira" refrain. Allen called having Sterban back onstage "one of God's greatest blessings."
Sterban is survived by his wife, Donna, his five children, and 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
Listen to The Oak Ridge Boys' original 1981 recording of "Elvira"
