The Passing of Tony Butala, Co-Founder of The Lettermen

Tony Butala, the co-founder of The Lettermen, passed away on Sunday, November 1, at the age of 87. Tracy Clark, the band’s media coordinator, confirmed his death in a statement to The Associated Press, expressing the group’s deep loss. ‘We have lost an integral member of The Lettermen family,’ she announced with grief.

‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the recent passing of Tony Butala, founding member of the international recording artists The Lettermen and recipient of a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,’ the statement read.

The statement also extended heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Butala’s family, friends, and all who admired him. Details about celebrations of life in Wisconsin and California will follow, but no public viewing will occur. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Tony Butala was instrumental in founding The Lettermen in the late 1950s with Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. Their first significant hit was a rendition of Fred Astaire’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ released in 1961, which earned them a Grammy nomination. The Lettermen achieved significant success with 20 songs reaching the Billboard Hot 100 chart and securing four Grammy Award nominations.

Butala remained with the group for over 60 years, contributing to hit songs like ‘Goin’ Out of My Head/Can’t Take My Eyes off You,’ ‘Everything Is Good About You,’ ‘Come Back Silly Girl,’ ‘Theme from a Summer Place,’ and ‘Hurt So Bad.’ He retired from performing with the band in 2019, the same year Jim Pike died. Bob Engemann passed in 2013.

Although Butala retired, he was present at the ceremony in 2020 when the band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Currently, The Lettermen continues with members Donovan Tea, Bobby Poynton, and Rob Gulack. In a reflective tribute, the band conveyed that ‘Tony never met a stranger,’ describing him as a symbol of talent, perseverance, and refinement, with a passion for entertaining and sharing his music worldwide.

Butala’s singing career began early, performing on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh at age 8. At 10, he moved to Los Angeles with his mother to advance his career, joining the Mitchell Boys Choir. The choir appeared in notable films such as ‘White Christmas,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ ‘War of the Worlds,’ and ‘On Moonlight Bay.’