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.