Tony Butala, co-founder of The Lettermen, dies at 87

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 01:26 · Archive

Tony Butala, co-founder of The Lettermen vocal group, has died at 87.

Tony Butala, co-founder of The Lettermen vocal group, died on Sunday at the age of 87. Tracy Clark, the band's media coordinator, confirmed his death to The Associated Press. A cause of death was not disclosed. There will be no public viewing, though celebrations of life will be held in Wisconsin and California at dates to be announced.

Butala co-founded The Lettermen in the late 1950s alongside Jim Pike and Bob Engemann. Their 1961 rendition of Fred Astaire's 'The Way You Look Tonight' became their first hit, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination in 1962. The group also received a Best New Artist nomination at that award show.

Over their career, The Lettermen recorded 20 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned four Grammy Award nominations. Butala remained with the group for over 60 years before retiring from performing in 2019. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Pike died in 2019 and Engemann died in 2013.

How it is being reported

• Tony Butala, voice behind 'The Way You Look Tonight' and The Lettermen co-founder, dead at 87Tony Butala co-founded The Lettermen in the late 1950s and performed for over 60 years, earning four Grammy nominations and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.Fox News · 5 Nov, 00:01
• The Lettermen co-founder Tony Butala, known for ‘The Way You Look Tonight,’ dead at 87Butala’s legendary vocal career started in childhood.New York Post · 4 Nov, 19:59

In this story: Tony Butala · The Lettermen · Jim Pike · Bob Engemann · Fred Astaire · Hollywood Walk of Fame

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