By Basant El-Faramawy
Tony Butala, co-founder of the Grammy-nominated vocal trio The Lettermen, died Sunday at age 87. The band's media coordinator, Tracy Clark, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. No cause was given.
Early life and career beginnings
Butala was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1938 and began singing professionally at age 7. He performed on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh at 8 and later joined the Mitchell Boys Choir in Los Angeles, appearing in films such as "White Christmas" and "War of the Worlds."
Success with The Lettermen
In the late 1950s, Butala formed The Lettermen with Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. Their 1961 rendition of "The Way You Look Tonight" reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination. The group charted 19 more songs over the next decade, including the Top 10 hits "When I Fall in Love" (1962) and the medley "Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes off You" (1968).
Touring and later years
The Lettermen toured extensively, performing at colleges and venues worldwide. Butala was the last surviving original member; Pike died in 2019 and Engemann in 2013. The group continued as a trio with changing lineups, currently comprising Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack.
Honors and legacy
Butala retired from performing in 2019. In 2020, he and The Lettermen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. A band statement praised his talent, perseverance, and joy in entertaining audiences worldwide. Private celebrations of life are planned in Wisconsin and California.
