Dates

• Existence: 1936 - 2019

Biographical History

Jim Pike (1936-2019) was a member of the popular music group, The Lettermen.

Jim Pike was born James R. Pike on November 6, 1936, in Missouri, to country and western singer father Russ Pike, and mother Joy Pike. He grew up in Oklahoma California, and Idaho, graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1954. His parents later divorced. Jim enlisted in the United States Navy where he performed in the Navy Choir. After his discharge from the Navy in 1955, Jim enrolled in Brigham Young University. At BYU he became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a BYU student he also studied with well-known BYU music and voice teacher, Janie Thompson, performing in the Program Bureau with his friend, Bob Engemann. In 1961, together with Bob Engemann, and fellow singer, Tony Butala, he established the Lettermen vocal group in Los Angeles and became its lead singer. The Lettermen performed their first "hit" song in 1961, "The Way You Look Tonight," and began touring the United States. They were later considered one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1960s, so much so that NASA chose a Lettermen recording for a time capsule on the moon to represent America's popular music. In May 1967, Jim Pike met Trans World Airlines flight attendant, Sue Kennedy, whom he married on August 23, 1968. Jim and Sue had one daughter, Kelly Jeanne Pike, who was born January 10, 1977. In 1973, Jim Pike left The Lettermen, replaced by his youngest brother, Donny. After recovering his voice, Jim established the Lettermen "Reunion" group in 1983, with Bob Engemann and their friend Ric de Azevado. Jim Pike died June 9, 2019, in Prescott, Arizona, at age 82.

Citation:

NYtimes.com, via WWW, November 30, 2022 (James R. Pike, known as Jim Pike; born November 6, 1936, in Missouri, to country and western singer father Russ Pike, and mother Joy Pike. Grew up in Oklahoma California, and Idaho, graduating from Idaho Falls High School in 1954. Parents later divorced. Co-founder and lead singer of the Lettermen; one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1960s; died on June 9, 2019 in Prescott, Arizona, at age 82. Formed group with Bob Engemann, a college friend from Brigham Young University in Los Angeles in 1961 with Tony Butala; performed their first "hit" song in 1961, "The Way You Look Tonight," and began touring the United States; In 1973, Jim Pike left The Lettermen, replaced by his youngest brother, Donny; after recovering his voice, Jim established The Lettermen "Reunion" group)

Deseret News, via WWW, November 20, 2022 (NASA chose a Lettermen recording for a time capsule on the moon to represent America's popular music) Latter-day Saints Musicians.com, via WWW, November 20, 2022 (b. November 6 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri)

UPB files, November 15, 2022 (Formed a Lettermen "Reunion" group in 1983 with Bob and their friend Ric de Azevado; Performed in Program Bureau under Janie Thompson with Bob Engemann)

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