Tony Butala has died aged 87.
The singer found fame as a founding member of The Lettermen and remained the last surviving original member of the long-running vocal group following the deaths of bandmates Bob Engemann and Jim Pike.
His passing on Sunday (01.11.26) was confirmed by a representative for the group. No cause of death has been announced.
A statement released on Tuesday (03.11.26) praised Butala’s devotion to music and the fans he entertained throughout his decades-long career.
It said: “We have lost an integral member of The Lettermen family. 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 tribute continued: “Tony never met a stranger. His life was a living example of talent, perseverance, and refinement. But above all, his true joy was entertaining and sharing his music with audiences worldwide.”
Butala spent more than 60 years associated with The Lettermen after helping launch the act in the late 1950s.
The group’s trademark close-harmony sound turned them into chart regulars during the 1960s, with a string of hit recordings that included When I Fall in Love, Theme From A Summer Place, Come Back Silly Girl and Hurt So Bad.
They first broke through with their interpretation of The Way You Look Tonight, which became a major US hit in 1961 and established the trio as one of the leading vocal acts of the era.
The Lettermen went on to place 20 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and received four Grammy Award nominations, including a Best New Artist nod in 1962.
One of their biggest successes came with their medley of Goin’ Out of My Head and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, while Hurt So Bad became one of the group’s most enduring recordings.
Long before topping charts, Butala was already performing professionally. As a child, he sang with the Mitchell Boys Choir and appeared in several Hollywood productions, including White Christmas, Peter Pan, War of the Worlds and On Moonlight Bay.
In 2020, Butala’s contribution to music was recognised when The Lettermen received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Although he stepped back from performing in 2019, the group’s legacy has continued through a newer line-up.
Celebrations of Butala’s life are planned for Wisconsin and California, with details to be announced.
