The Lettermen
The Lettermen are an American pop music vocal group. The Lettermen's tradem… Read Full Bio ↴The Lettermen are an American pop music vocal group. The Lettermen's trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light arrangements. They were popular mainly with adult audiences during the 1960s.
The group was formed in late 1950s by Mike Barnett, Dick Stewart and Tony Butala. They auditioned for Jackie Barnett, chief comedy writer for the Jimmy Durante TV show. They landed the part to impersonate The Rhythm Boys, the vocal group that traveled with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra in the late 1920s, and gave Bing Crosby his initial fame. The "Newcomers of 1928" review opened on 28 February 1958 at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada. This review also starred Paul Whiteman, Buster Keaton, Rudy Vallée, Harry Richmond and Fifi D'Orsay. They played to sell-out audiences and were held over for many weeks. This review also played a six week review at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, with Butala being the only consistent Letterman. Barnett and Russell were replaced by Gary Clarke and Jerry Paul. When the review ended, Butala landed a job as singer/bass player in a lounge group, "Bill Norvas and the Upstarts", with Gary Clarke. After a few months, Clarke left the group and was replaced by Jim Pike. Pike and Butala decided to leave the Upstarts and resume the Lettermen although they had not yet decided to use the Lettermen name. Pike envisioned a group where each member was an excellent soloist as well as a competent group singer. Pike recommended the third Letterman should be Bob Engemann, a singer that Pike had met when he attended Brigham Young University a few years earlier. Both had come to Los Angeles, California, and sang together in different combinations until Engemann had go into the National Guard for 6 months. At that point, Pike joined Bill Norvis and met Butala. This combination first recorded in late 1959.
They secured a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records through Bob Engemann's older brother, Karl Engemann, who was a record producer there, and for whom Pike had released a record earlier called "Lucy D", which was not successful. Pike, Butala and Engemann as "The Lettermen" released two singles in 1960. The A-sides were "Two Hearts" and "There Hearts Were Full Of Spring". They were not successful. Karl Engemann moved on to Capitol Records as President of A&R. He got them out of their contract at Warner Bros., and made an appointment with Nick Venet, a producer at Capitol and they were signed.
There was another "Lettermen" group in the late 1950s and early 1960s that recorded for Liberty Records, (which was a major label at the time). They were an R&B group with five members, and their single was called "Hey Big Brain". But the "Lettermen" of Pike, Engemann and Butala had the first hit record, so they were entitled to exclusively use the "Lettermen" name. There was also a group in the mid 1950s called The Lettermen Trio, but had no record success.
The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. Their first single for Capitol, "The Way You Look Tonight," succeeded on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, and their next, "When I Fall in Love," reached the Top 10 in late 1962. They had several other Top 10 hits, such as the 1965's, "Theme From A Summer Place". In late 1967 Bob Engemann resigned, and was replaced by Jim Pike's younger brother, Gary Pike. The hits continued with the 1968 medley "Goin' Out of My Head"/"Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and in 1968 with "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", plus 1969's "Hurt So Bad", which reached number 12. The last successful single was in 1972, "Love" a solo by Pike.
The Lettermen have had 32 consecutive Billboard Magazine chart albums, 11 gold records, five Grammy nominations, an Andy Award, and a Cleo Award. In 1976, Jim Pike left the group and sold the Lettermen name to Butala.
In 1981 Gary Pike left the Lettermen, and today Jim and Gary Pike, along with Ric de Azevedo, sing The Lettermen hits, billed as Reunion.
In 1961, The Lettermen started performing live concerts doing over 100 shows a year, an unbroken string that continues to the present now amounting to 46 years.
Over the decades, the group has had various line-ups, replacing members who left for various reasons with new people to maintain a trio. Tony Butala, who (as of 2007) is still a member, has stated that the group ethos is that of three strong soloists that harmonize, and that the group encourages individual singing and songwriting.
They pride themselves in welcoming audience member photographs during the show, unlike many recording acts.
The group was formed in late 1950s by Mike Barnett, Dick Stewart and Tony Butala. They auditioned for Jackie Barnett, chief comedy writer for the Jimmy Durante TV show. They landed the part to impersonate The Rhythm Boys, the vocal group that traveled with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra in the late 1920s, and gave Bing Crosby his initial fame. The "Newcomers of 1928" review opened on 28 February 1958 at the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, Nevada. This review also starred Paul Whiteman, Buster Keaton, Rudy Vallée, Harry Richmond and Fifi D'Orsay. They played to sell-out audiences and were held over for many weeks. This review also played a six week review at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, with Butala being the only consistent Letterman. Barnett and Russell were replaced by Gary Clarke and Jerry Paul. When the review ended, Butala landed a job as singer/bass player in a lounge group, "Bill Norvas and the Upstarts", with Gary Clarke. After a few months, Clarke left the group and was replaced by Jim Pike. Pike and Butala decided to leave the Upstarts and resume the Lettermen although they had not yet decided to use the Lettermen name. Pike envisioned a group where each member was an excellent soloist as well as a competent group singer. Pike recommended the third Letterman should be Bob Engemann, a singer that Pike had met when he attended Brigham Young University a few years earlier. Both had come to Los Angeles, California, and sang together in different combinations until Engemann had go into the National Guard for 6 months. At that point, Pike joined Bill Norvis and met Butala. This combination first recorded in late 1959.
They secured a recording contract with Warner Bros. Records through Bob Engemann's older brother, Karl Engemann, who was a record producer there, and for whom Pike had released a record earlier called "Lucy D", which was not successful. Pike, Butala and Engemann as "The Lettermen" released two singles in 1960. The A-sides were "Two Hearts" and "There Hearts Were Full Of Spring". They were not successful. Karl Engemann moved on to Capitol Records as President of A&R. He got them out of their contract at Warner Bros., and made an appointment with Nick Venet, a producer at Capitol and they were signed.
There was another "Lettermen" group in the late 1950s and early 1960s that recorded for Liberty Records, (which was a major label at the time). They were an R&B group with five members, and their single was called "Hey Big Brain". But the "Lettermen" of Pike, Engemann and Butala had the first hit record, so they were entitled to exclusively use the "Lettermen" name. There was also a group in the mid 1950s called The Lettermen Trio, but had no record success.
The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. Their first single for Capitol, "The Way You Look Tonight," succeeded on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart, and their next, "When I Fall in Love," reached the Top 10 in late 1962. They had several other Top 10 hits, such as the 1965's, "Theme From A Summer Place". In late 1967 Bob Engemann resigned, and was replaced by Jim Pike's younger brother, Gary Pike. The hits continued with the 1968 medley "Goin' Out of My Head"/"Can't Take My Eyes Off You", and in 1968 with "Put Your Head on My Shoulder", plus 1969's "Hurt So Bad", which reached number 12. The last successful single was in 1972, "Love" a solo by Pike.
The Lettermen have had 32 consecutive Billboard Magazine chart albums, 11 gold records, five Grammy nominations, an Andy Award, and a Cleo Award. In 1976, Jim Pike left the group and sold the Lettermen name to Butala.
In 1981 Gary Pike left the Lettermen, and today Jim and Gary Pike, along with Ric de Azevedo, sing The Lettermen hits, billed as Reunion.
In 1961, The Lettermen started performing live concerts doing over 100 shows a year, an unbroken string that continues to the present now amounting to 46 years.
Over the decades, the group has had various line-ups, replacing members who left for various reasons with new people to maintain a trio. Tony Butala, who (as of 2007) is still a member, has stated that the group ethos is that of three strong soloists that harmonize, and that the group encourages individual singing and songwriting.
They pride themselves in welcoming audience member photographs during the show, unlike many recording acts.
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The Lettermen Lyrics
A Natural Man Looking out on the morning rain I used to feel…
A Song for Young Love A song for young love Song by: Lettermen Hold hands in…
A Summer Song Trees swayin' in the summer breeze Showin' off their silver …
Against All Odds How can I just let you walk away, Just let you…
Ain Ain't no sunshine when she's gone. It's not warm when she's…
All I Do is Dream of You All I do is dream of you the whole night…
All I Have to Do Is Dream Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dr…
Anyone Who Had a Heart Anyone who ever loved Could look at me and know…
Away In A Manger Away in a manger, no crib for his bed, the little…
Be My Girl My baby I need you (Be my girl) To hug you…
Blue moon Blue moon you saw me standing alone Without a dream in…
Blueberry Hill I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill On Blueberry Hill where…
By the Time I Get to Phoenix By the time I get to Phoenix she'll be rising She'll…
Can Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head Yes, I…
Can't Help Falling in Love Wise man say only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in…
Come Back Silly Girl I go round moping and I go around blue I made…
Come Softly To Me Mm dooby do, dahm dahm, dahm do dahm ooby do Dahm…
Crying Don't let the sun catch you crying The night's the…
Dahil Sa 'Yo Dahil sa `yo nais kong mabuhay Dahil sa `yo hanggang mamatay…
Day After Day It's a time a for joy, a time for tears A…
Days Of Wine & Rose The days of wine and roses laugh and run away…
Dear Heart DEAR HEART Dear heart, wish you were here, To warm…
Dearly Beloved Tell me that it's true, Tell me you agree, I was…
Deck The Halls Deck the halls with boughs of holly Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-l…
Don Girl you're gettin' that look in your eyes, and it's starti…
Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying Don't let the sun catch you crying The night's the…
Don't Pull Your Love Don't pull your love out on me baby If you do…
Downtown When you're alone and life is making you lonely, You can…
DREAM Every night I hope and pray A dream lover will come…
Everybody Loves Somebody Everybody loves somebody sometime Everybody falls in love so…
Everything Is Good About You So sweet you are Like a shining star You brighten my whole…
Fool For Your Love For your love, oh, I would do anything I would do…
Forget Him (Forget him, Forget him) Forget him, if he doesn't love you…
Friendly Persuasion Thee I love, more than the meadows so green and…
Go Away Little Girl Won't you go away (little girl) Wish you wouldn't stay (litt…
Goin Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head Yes, I…
Goin Out of My Head Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head. Yes,…
Goin Out of My Head Can't Take My Eyes Off of You Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head Yes, I…
Graduation Day It's a time a for joy, a time for tears A…
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Have yourself a merry little Christmas Let your heart be lig…
Hawaiian Wedding Song This is the moment I've waited for I can hear my heart…
Hello I Love You Touch Me I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me And…
Here There and Everywhere To lead a better life I need my love to be…
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart I can think of younger days when living for my…
How Is Julie Wherever I go, whoever I see How is Julie? My friends ask…
How Is Julie? Wherever I go, whoever I see How is Julie? My friends ask…
How Is Julie? - 1991 Digital Remaster Wherever I go, whoever I see How is Julie? My friends ask…
Hurt I know you Don't know what I'm going through Standing here l…
I While I'm far away from you my baby I know it's…
I Believe I believe for every drop of rain that falls a…
I Can't Help Falling in Love With You Wise man say only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in…
I Honestly Love You I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me And…
I Love How You Love Me I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me And…
I Only Have Eyes For You My love must be a kind of blind love I can't…
I Wanna Be Free I wanna be free, Like the bluebirds flying by me, Like the…
I Will Always Love You If I should stay Well, I would only be in your…
I'll Be Home For Christmas I'll be home for Christmas You can plan on me Please have…
I'll Be Seeing You I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places That…
I'll Never Stop Loving You I'll never stop loving you Whatever else I may do My love…
I'll See You in My Dreams I'll see you in my dreams And I'll hold you in…
I've Had The Time Of My Life Now I've had the time of my life No, I never…
if If I loved you, Time and again I would try to…
If Ever I Would Leave You If ever I would leave you It wouldn't be in summer. Seeing…
If You Feel The Way I Do If you feel the way I do And you're all alone On…
In My Life Now I've had the time of my life No, I never…
In the Still of the Night In the still of the night As I gaze out of…
It It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids…
Ive Had the Time of My Life Now I've had the time of my life No, I never…
Little Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
Love Oh my love for the first time in my life My…
Love is a Mandy Splendored Thing Love is a many splendored thing It's the April rose that…
Love Is a Many Splendored Love is a many splendored thing It's the April rose that…
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing Love is a many splendored thing It's the April rose that…
Love Me Tender Love me tender, love me sweet Never let me go You have…
Lover Every night I hope and pray A dream lover will come…
Medley: Goin Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head Yes, I…
Medley: Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes off You Well, I think I'm goin' out of my head Yes, I…
Michael Michael, row the boat ashore, Hallelujah. Michael, row the b…
Moments to Remember January to December, we'll have moments to remember The New…
Moon River Moon River, wider than a mile: I'm crossin' you in…
More Loneliness is the coat you wear A deep shade of blue…
MORNING GIRL Mornin' girl, how'd ya sleep last night? You're sev'ral age…
Mr. Lonely Lonely Mister lonely I have nobody to call my own And I′m…
My Funny Valentine Behold the way our fine feathered friend His virtue doth pa…
Never My Love You ask me if there'll come a time When I…
No Other Love (No Other Love) No other love have I, Only my love…
O O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the…
O Come All Ye Faithful [Refrain] O come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant, O …
O Holy Night O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the…
O Little Town Of Bethlehem O little town of Bethlehem, How still we see thee lie! Above…
O' Christmas Tree O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree! How are thy leaves so…
O' Holy Night O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the…
Oh My Love Oh my love for the first time in my life My…
Once Upon A Time Once upon a time, a girl with moonlight in her…
Only You Only you can make this world seem right Only you can…
Our Day Will Come Our day will come And we'll have everything We'll share the …
Our Winter Love Love warm, in winter time, warms, this heart…
People Listen people to what I say I say everybody's got to…
Polka Dots And Moonbeams A country dance was being held in a garden I felt…
Portrait of My Love There could never be a portrait of my love For…
Pretty Blue Eyes Thought I was in love before And then you moved in…
Pure Imagination Come with me and you'll be In a world of pure…
Put Your Head On My Shoulder Put your head on my shoulder Hold me in your arms,…
Red Rose for a Blue Lady I want some red roses for a blue lady Mister florist…
Remembering Last Summer He woke up from dreaming and put on his shoes Started…
Run To Him If you've found another guy Who satisfies you more than I…
Save Your Heart For Me Walk along the lake with someone new Have yourself a summer…
Sealed With A Kiss 'Tho we gotta say goodbye for the summer Darling I promise…
Sealed With A Kiss - 1991 Digital Remaster Today i woke up at 9 With so much on my…
Secret Love Once I had a secret love, That lived within the heart…
Secretly Why must I meet you in a secret rendezvous? Why must…
Seventh Dawn Theme SEVENTH DAWN (THEME) I'll remember when I feel lonely The wa…
Shangri La Your kisses take me to Shangri-La Each kiss is magic that…
She Cried And when I told her I didn't love her anymore She cried…
Sherry Don't Go Sherry don't go, talk to me girl Give me a chance…
Silent Night Holy Night O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the…
Silly Boy Silly boy, silly boy, she doesn't care Silly boy, silly boy…
Sincerely Sincerely, oh yes, sincerely 'cause I love you so dearly, pl…
Smile Smile though your heart is aching Smile even though its bre…
Softly As I Leave You Softly I will leave you softly For my heart would…
Somewhere Somewhere, my love, there will be songs to sing Although…
Summer Song Trees swayin' in the summer breeze Showin' off their silver …
Take Good Care Of My Baby My tears are fallin' cause you've taken her away And through…
That Girl, I heard you're getting married Girl, I heard you're ge…
That's My Desire To spend one night with you in our old rendezvous, And…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Christmas Waltz Frosted window panes Candles gleaming inside Painted candy c…
The End of the World Why does the sun go on shining? Why does the sea…
The Little Drummer Boy Come, they told me pa-rum pum pum pum Our newborn King…
The Look Of Love The look of love Is in your eyes A look your smile…
The party The party's over, it's time to call it a day They've…
The Party's Over The party's over, it's time to call it a day They've…
The Things We Did Last Summer The boat rides we would take, the moonlight on the…
The Time Of My Life Now I've had the time of my life No, I never…
The Way You Look Tonight Some day, when I'm awfully low When the world is cold I…
The Way You Look Tonight (1991 Digital Remaster) Someday When i'm awfully low When the world is cold I will f…
The Whiffenpoof Song To the tables down at Mory's To the place where Louie…
Theme From There's a Summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet, I'm…
Theme From " A Summer Place" There's a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I'm…
Theme from "A Summer Place" There's a Summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet, I'm…
Theme from A Summer Place There's a summer place Where it may rain or storm Yet I'm…
There To lead a better life I need my love to be…
This Guy You see this guy, this guy's in love with you Yes…
This Guy's in Love with You You see this guy, this guy's in love with you Yes…
Through a Long and Sleepless Night Through a long and sleepless night I whisper your name Throu…
Traces / Memories Memories Pressed between the pages of my mind Memories Sw…
Turn Around There is someone walking behind you.. Turn around, look at m…
Turn Around, Look At Me - 1991 Digital Remaster There is someone walking behind you, Turn around, look at me…
Turn! Turn! Turn! There is someone walking behind you.. Turn around, look at m…
Up Where We Belong Who knows what tomorrow brings In a world where few hearts…
Valentine If there were no words no way to speak I would still…
Venus Hey, Venus, oh, Venus Venus, if you will Please send a littl…
Way You Look Tonight Some day, when I'm awfully low When the world is cold I…
Wedding Song This is the moment I've waited for I can hear my heart…
When I Fall in Love When I fall in love it will be forever Or I'll…
When I Fall In Love (1991 Digital Remaster) When I Fall In Love As a single, did not chart) -…
When You Wish Upon a Star wish i may wish i might have this wish i…
Where or When It seems we stood and talked like this before We looked…
Windmills Of Your Mind Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel…
Yesterday Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away Now it…
You Only you can make this world seem right Only you can…
You Showed Me I love how your eyes close whenever you kiss me And…
You'll Never Walk Alone When you walk through a storm Keep your chin up high And…
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' You never close your eyes any more when I kiss…
Young And Foolish Young and foolish Why is it wrong to be Young and foolish …