The Oak Ridge Boys Member Richard Sterban Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer

Richard Sterban, a subordinate of quartet The Oak Ridge Boys for much than 5 decades, revealed connected (Thursday) Sept. 25 that helium was diagnosed with pancreatic crab successful March of this year.

“I americium nether the attraction of the champion crab doctors successful the state and, with the assistance of the Good Lord above, I judge I volition beryllium capable to get done this,” Sterban said successful a statement. He added, “I privation to convey everyone, particularly the fans, for your concern, and I would admit your continued prayers. Most days I’m feeling precise good, and I anticipation to beryllium backmost retired connected the roadworthy successful respective months.”

Sterban, whose signature bass vocals are a defining diagnostic of specified Oak Ridge Boys songs arsenic their Billboard Hot 100 apical 5 deed “Elvira,” astir precocious performed with the radical astatine the Academy of Country Music Awards successful May. Since then, Aaron McCune and Tim Duncan person been filling successful for Sterban connected tour.

New Jersey autochthonal Sterban joined The Oak Ridge Boys successful 1972. Prior to joining the group, helium sang with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, done which helium besides performed and recorded with Elvis Presley, and appeared successful 1 of Presley’s movies, Elvis connected Tour.

The Oak Ridge Boys person earned 5 Grammy Awards, 9 GMA Dove Awards and 2 American Music Awards. The radical was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame successful 2015 and person been members of the Grand Ole Opry since 2011. Among the group’s 17 No. 1s connected Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs illustration are “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue,” “American Made” and “Leaving Louisiana In Broad Daylight.”

The lineup of Sterban, Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden and Duane Allen performed unneurotic for 5 decades, marking the group’s longest-running lineup. Bonsall announced his status successful January 2024 and was replaced by vocalist Ben James. Bonsall died connected July 9, 2024, astatine property 76.