Acclaimed singer Tony Butala, founding member of The Lettermen, dies at 85

A legendary singer has left us. Tony Butala, acclaimed singer and co-founder of the iconic group The Lettermen, died at age 85.

The Lettermen were once one of the biggest vocal groups in the United States. Now, their founder and lead singer, Tony Butala, has died. The group announced his death in a long Facebook tribute on November 1, 2026.

The group shared the news of “profound sadness” that Tony had passed away, sending their “most heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to “his children, grandchildren, siblings, the love of his life, the entire Lettermen organization and all who knew and loved him.”