Jim Pike
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Jim Pike was raised in the state of Idaho with his two brothers, Donny Pike and Gary Pike. He started his professional career at the age of 4 singing with his fathers radio band, "Russ Pike and the Prairie Knights". At the beginning of each program, he would sing "God Bless America". He graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1954. His continuing desire to sing progressed when he did his version of an Al Jolson song before his class mates at IF High. Pike headed to BYU in Provo, Utah where he met Bob Engemann (another singer). Jim and Bob were later joined by Tony Butala and they formed "The Lettermen". Jim was the creative force in the group and the catalyst in forming the famed "Lettermen". His vision was to put a group together where the singers were great soloists and still had the discipline to sing straight tones and harmony in a vocal group. Jim had been singing with friend Bob Engemann and loved his smooth velvety blending voice. He met Tony Butala while both were singing in a lounge group called Bill Norvis and the Upstarts. Tony had a similar voice to Bobby's and Jim suggested he join him and Bob after the Bill Norvis job was finished. A short time later they had a record contract with Warner Bros. Records with whom Jim had released a single with as a soloist earlier but with no success. Their stint with Warner Bros. was not successful so they moved on to Capitol Records with the help of Karl Engemann, Bobby's brother, who was President of A&R there and he introduced them to Nick Venet, a producer at Capitol and the rest is history. The famous unique blend of the Lettermen was a result of the melody often changing hands through the song which made it difficult to pick out the different parts, especially since Tony and Bob's voices were so similar.
Jim Pike's voice can be heard on the hits of "The Lettermen." Jim is a high baritone and the one who sang the signature high falsetto lead for the group on Hits Like "When I Fall In Love", "Theme From a Summer Place" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" on the hit medley "Goin'Out Of My Head / Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You". Jim also sings outstanding production solos. After losing his voice in the mid 70s, Jim Pike would retire (as some would think), from the singing world. For ten years Jim could only whisper to his wife Sue. Early in the 1980s, Jim Pike's voice would start to return. Having sold out his interest in "The Lettermen," Jim could no longer sing under that name. Along with Engemann (who left "The Lettermen" some years before, and with Ric de Azevedo (from The King Family TV show--his mother being a King Sister), a new group--"Reunion" would be formed. Engemann left this group and was replaced by Gary Pike; who by the way, replaced Engemann in "The Lettermen" in 1967. Now some twenty two years later (2006), The Pike brothers and Ric de Azevedo are still doing concerts as "Reunion." Concert after concert, comments still rate "Reunion" as even better than "The Lettermen."[citation needed]
Jim and his wife Sue, make their home in Southern California.
