Tony Butala, a founding member of the legendary pop group The Lettermen, passed away at 87. On its Facebook page, the group announced the news.
The post stated, “We have lost an integral member of The Lettermen family.” We regret to inform you of Tony Butala’s recent passing. He was a founding member of the international recording group “The Lettermen” and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His children, grandchildren, siblings, the love of his life, the entire Lettermen organization, and everyone who knew and loved him are in our deepest thoughts and prayers.
According to the statement, Butala started singing at the age of seven in his hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and by the time he was eight, he was performing on Pittsburgh’s KDKA Radio.
Butala eventually relocated to Hollywood, California, with his family, and he carried on performing there. He was a founding member of The Lettermen in the late 1950s.
“The Lettermen’s distinctive three-part “sound” enthralled audiences worldwide under his direction,” the group said in a statement. The group received four Grammy nominations for their harmonious vocal blend, which captivated the music industry.
It went on, “Tony skillfully led the group throughout his career.” “He not only blended The Lettermen’s early hits, but in later years, he had the insight to recognize that the harmonious hits could continue to be woven into today’s hits.”
In 2019, Butala stopped performing. The statement said, “Although his performing days had ended, he was instrumental in laying the groundwork for The Lettermen’s legacy to continue under skilled leadership.” “Tony’s founding ideals will always serve as the foundation for the Lettermen of today and tomorrow. The Lettermen continue to perform 65 years later thanks to this legacy.
The statement also said, “Tony never met a stranger.” His life served as a real-life illustration of skill, tenacity, and sophistication. Above all, though, he truly enjoyed entertaining and sharing his music with people all over the world. Every Lettermen performance will carry on his legacy. It’s best expressed in the lyrics of his last public solo. “Smile even when your heart hurts, smile even when it breaks,” You’ll manage when the sky is cloudy. You might see the sun shining through tomorrow if you simply smile despite your fear and grief.
“Tony, thank you for all the smiles.”
From 1958 until his departure in 2019, Butala was the group’s lead vocalist. In addition, he was the group’s final surviving founding member.
In 2020, Butala and The Lettermen were awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.