5 publishers · first seen Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:31 UTC · updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 19:35 UTC
Tony Butala, co-founder of the Grammy-nominated vocal group The Lettermen, died on Sunday at the age of 87. The band's media coordinator, Tracy Clark, confirmed his passing to The Associated Press. The cause of death was not disclosed. Butala, who began his career at the age of 7, co-founded The Lettermen in the late 1950s with Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. The group became one of the most popular vocal ensembles of the 1960s, known for their lush harmonies and numerous hits on the Billboard charts.
The Lettermen, who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020, have maintained their distinctive three-part sound through various lineups over the decades. Butala was the last surviving member of the original trio; Pike passed away in 2019, and Engemann in 2013. The current lineup includes Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack. Butala stepped away from performing in 2019.
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