Scroll to the end of the article to hear the song.
Richard Sterban, the deep bass voice of The Oak Ridge Boys, died on Saturday, November 14, 2026, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 83. His family and the group said he died of complications from bronchitis and pneumonia after a long, hard battle with cancer.
Less than ten months earlier, on the last weekend of January 2026, he was back on the Grand Ole Opry stage singing the part that made him famous. It happened in the middle of “Elvira,” and it began with a surprise from the man who had been singing his part.
The young bass singer who grew up on the Oaks
Aaron McCune is the bass singer for the bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent. He comes from Clay, West Virginia, and sang for five years with the Gold City Quartet before that. For several years he had also been the man The Oak Ridge Boys called when Richard Sterban could not make a show.
By early 2026, that job had become a long one. Richard Sterban was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2025. He last appeared with the group at the Academy of Country Music Awards that May, then stepped away from the road. McCune and Tim Duncan took turns singing the bass parts while he was treated.
When he finally told fans what was wrong in September 2025, Richard Sterban sounded like a man who fully intended to come back.
“Most days I’m feeling very good, and I hope to be back out on the road in several months.” — Richard Sterban, September 2025
What Aaron McCune said in the middle of “Elvira”
The Oak Ridge Boys played the Opry on January 30 and 31, 2026, and launched into “Elvira,” the 1981 hit that made Richard Sterban’s rumbling bass one of the most recognized sounds in country music. Partway through the song, McCune stopped to speak to the crowd.
“When I was a little boy, my heroes were the Oak Ridge Boys. Their bass singer was the coolest person in the world to me. He’s had a rough year, but I got a surprise. My hero… Richard Sterban.” — Aaron McCune
Richard Sterban walked out from backstage and took the part that had belonged to him for more than four decades. The audience gave him standing ovations for that famous low line, and he was back on the Opry stage with his partners for both nights.
“One of God’s greatest blessings”
Duane Allen had been singing beside Richard Sterban since 1972. A few days later, the group shared his reaction with fans.
“Richard…coming out to sing with us on ‘Elvira’ was a soul-stirring experience for me. I am reading thousands of comments from those of you who felt the same way. Having Richard on stage with us again was one of God’s greatest blessings.” — Duane Allen
The comments he mentioned were full of fans who were simply glad to see him. One wrote that they were happy and thankful to see Richard back on stage with the rest of the guys. Another said watching it brought tears of joy.
The months after the Opry
Richard Sterban still hoped to return to touring later in the year. The Oak Ridge Boys kept working the road with McCune and Tim Duncan on bass. When the group released its album Buried Treasures on October 30, 2026, the announcement noted that Richard Sterban sang on the record and was still making appearances when he could.
Fifteen days later, he was gone. The Oak Ridge Boys announced “the passing of our partner and brother,” and his family said they find comfort knowing he is now face to face with Jesus.
That weekend in January, a younger bass singer called him his hero, an old friend stood at his side, and the Opry crowd rose to its feet for the voice behind “Elvira.”