Tony Butala, Last Original Member of The Lettermen, Dies at 87

Tony Butala, the last surviving original member of The Lettermen, has died at the age of 87, marking the end of an era for one of America’s most beloved vocal groups ¹²³⁴⁵. Born in 1938 in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Butala embarked on his singing journey at a young age, showcasing his talent on KDKA radio in Pittsburgh at just seven years old ¹⁴⁵. His early start in the entertainment industry laid the foundation for a long and illustrious career that spanned over six decades.

In 1958, Butala joined forces with Bob Engemann and Jim Pike to form The Lettermen, a trio that would go on to achieve significant success in the music world. Their first hit, a rendition of 'The Way You Look Tonight,' reached the charts in 1961 and earned them a Grammy nomination ¹⁴⁵. Over the course of their career, The Lettermen enjoyed 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, with six of these making it into the top 20 ¹⁴⁵.

The group's popularity extended beyond just chart success; they were also recognized with four Grammy nominations, including a nod for Best New Artist in 1962 ¹²⁴⁵. This recognition solidified their place in the annals of American pop music history. Additionally, The Lettermen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020, further cementing their status as cultural icons ¹⁵.

Butala's contributions to The Lettermen were not limited to his singing voice; he was also instrumental in shaping the band's sound and direction. After his retirement in 2019, The Lettermen continued to perform with new members, including Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack ⁴⁵. However, Butala's passing marks the end of an era for the group, as he was the last remaining original member.

While the exact cause of Butala's death has not been reported, his family and friends have announced that celebrations of life will take place in Wisconsin and California at a later date ¹⁵. These events will serve as a fitting tribute to a man whose voice brought joy to millions and whose legacy continues to resonate through the timeless melodies of The Lettermen.

What We Know

• - Tony Butala, the last surviving original member of The Lettermen, died at age 87 ¹²³⁴⁵
• - Butala was born in 1938 in Sharon, Pennsylvania ¹²³⁴⁵
• - The Lettermen received four Grammy nominations, including for best new artist in 1962 ¹²⁴⁵
• - Butala began his singing career at age seven with a radio gig for KDKA in Pittsburgh ¹⁴⁵
• - The Lettermen originated as a trio in 1958, consisting of Butala, Bob Engemann, and Jim Pike ¹⁴⁵
• - Their first hit was 'The Way You Look Tonight' in 1961 ¹⁴⁵
• - The Lettermen had 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100, including six top 20 hits ¹⁴⁵
• - Butala and The Lettermen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020 ¹⁵
• - The Lettermen was founded by Tony Butala, Jim Pike, and Bob Engemann in the late 1950s ⁴⁵
• - The band's first hit, a version of 'The Way You Look Tonight,' came out in 1961 and received a Grammy nomination ⁴⁵
• - The Lettermen had 20 songs reach the Billboard Hot 100 and received four Grammy nominations throughout their career ⁴⁵
• - Butala was part of The Lettermen for more than 60 years before retiring in 2019 ⁴⁵
• - Bob Engemann, also a founder, passed away in 2013 ⁴⁵
• - After Butala's retirement, The Lettermen continued with new members including Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack ⁴⁵
• - Butala started his singing career at the age of 8, performing on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, and moved to Los Angeles at 10 to pursue his career ⁴⁵
• - 'Hurt So Bad' was their highest-charting song, reaching No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 ¹
• - Jim Pike, another founder of The Lettermen, died in 2019 due to complications from Parkinson's disease ⁴
• - In Los Angeles, Butala was part of the Mitchell Boys Choir, appearing in films such as 'White Christmas', 'Peter Pan', 'War of the Worlds', and 'On Moonlight Bay' ⁴
• - Celebrations of life for Butala will be held in Wisconsin and California at a later date ¹⁵
• - The cause of death was not reported ¹