Richard Sterban, the Bass Singer for the Oak Ridge Boys, Dies at 83
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Richard Sterban, renowned bass singer for the Oak Ridge Boys and former backup vocalist for Elvis Presley, died at 83 in Hendersonville, Tennessee, from complications related to bronchitis and pneumonia amid cancer.
- Sterban was celebrated for his extraordinary vocal range, capable of producing extremely low basso profundo notes as well as high tenor notes, which became a defining element of the Oak Ridge Boys' sound.
- He gained international fame for his iconic "oom-papa-mow-mow" bass refrain on the Oak Ridge Boys' 1981 hit "Elvira," which transformed the song into a Grammy-winning and widely recognized track of the early 1980s.
- Sterban's vocals not only anchored the group's gospel-infused style but also contributed melodic leads on notable recordings like their 1979 cover of "Dream On."
- His contributions elevated the Oak Ridge Boys to new heights of popularity, as he reflected in his 2012 memoir, highlighting the massive cultural impact of "Elvira."
