Tony Butala, a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal group The Lettermen, has died at the age of 87. He was the last of the group’s original members, according to reports published on Legit News and Billboard.
The Lettermen were formed in the late 1950s and built a long career on smooth vocal harmonies, earning Grammy nominations, gold records and chart hits over the decades. Their catalogue of ballads and pop standards made them one of the most enduring vocal acts of their era, and the group continued to perform long after its early line-up had changed.
Butala’s career also extended beyond the stage and studio. Reports note his work with Disney, though the details of that association were not set out in the material available for this article. His death was reported by IMDb, which described him as a founding member of The Lettermen who passed away at 87.
Tributes to Butala have followed the announcement, with fans and music outlets recalling the group’s recordings and their place in American popular vocal music. The Lettermen’s hits and Grammy recognition remain the central part of his legacy, and his death closes a chapter for a group that spanned more than half a century.