Tony Butala, Co-Founder of The Lettermen, Passes Away at 87

Tony Butala, the co-founder of the music group The Lettermen, passed away on Sunday, November 1, at the age of 87. Tracy Clark, the band’s media coordinator, confirmed the news through a statement saying, ‘We have lost an integral member of The Lettermen family.’

The statement expressed profound sadness over the loss of Tony Butala, a founding member of the internationally recognized recording artists and recipient of a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It offered heartfelt condolences to his children, grandchildren, siblings, and all those who knew and loved him.

The cause of death was not disclosed. There will be no public viewing. Celebrations of life are planned for Wisconsin and California, with details to follow.

Butala co-founded The Lettermen in the late 1950s alongside Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. In 1961, the group released their first hit ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ earning them a Grammy nomination. The Lettermen achieved 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, accumulating four Grammy nominations.

Butala remained with The Lettermen for over six decades, producing popular songs like ‘Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes off You,’ ‘Come Back Silly Girl,’ and ‘Hurt So Bad.’ He retired from the group in 2019. That same year, Jim Pike passed away at 82 due to Parkinson’s Disease, and Bob Engemann died in 2013.

A year after retiring, Butala attended the ceremony that awarded The Lettermen a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After his retirement, the group continued with new members Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack.

The band’s official statement highlighted that ‘Tony never met a stranger,’ reflecting his life of talent, perseverance, and refinement. His true joy was entertaining audiences worldwide.

Tony Butala began his singing career in childhood, performing on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh at age 8. He moved to Los Angeles at age 10 to advance his career, joining the Mitchell Boys Choir. This choir appeared in films such as ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘War of the Worlds,’ and ‘On Moonlight Bay.’