Richard Sterban

Biography

Richard Anthony Sterban (born April 24, 1943) is an American singer. He was born in Camden, New Jersey. In 1972, he joined the country and gospel quartet the Oak Ridge Boys, in which he sings bass.
Sterban was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015 as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys.

Personal life

Born in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey, After graduating from Collingswood High School, Sterban attended Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).

Career

Prior to joining the Oak Ridge Boys, Sterban was a founding member of the Keystones, a gospel quartet based in the northeastern United States, and later toured with J. D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet backing Elvis Presley, including appearing in Elvis On Tour. Sterban is best known for his "oom-papa-oom-papa-mow-mow" bass solo in the Oak Ridge Boys' 1981 single "Elvira" and his lead vocal on a cover of the Righteous Brothers' hit "Dream On", which made the top ten.
Sterban has recorded public service announcements for NOAA Weather Radio. He served as the voice of The Roadhouse, the classic country Sirius Satellite Radio channel. Sterban was a minority owner of the Nashville Sounds minor league baseball team from 1978 to 2008.
In recent years, Sterban has had prolonged absences from the Oak Ridge Boys' tours. Aaron McCune, bass vocalist for Dailey & Vincent, has served as his fill-in. Sterban again took leave following their appearance at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8, 2025; he announced in September that this was due to treatment for pancreatic cancer. Tim Duncan is replacing him on tour until further notice. Sterban made his first appearances with the band since his diagnosis during its Grand Ole Opry appearances on January 30 and 31, 2026 and noted that he hoped to resume touring later in the year since he still felt well enough to perform.