This week: the lead singer of The Lettermen and a Scottish wrestling star
THE singer Jim Pike, who has died aged 82, was the co-founder and lead singer of The Lettermen, whose lush vocal harmonies made the Grammy-nominated trio one of the most popular vocal groups of the 1960s.
Pike and Bob Engemann, a college buddy from Brigham Young University, formed The Lettermen in Los Angeles in 1961 with fellow singer Tony Butala.
They were looking for a name that would resonate with young people, when Engemann suggested The Lettermen. Butala noted that he had briefly sung with a group using that name and he had have to ask its leader for permission.
Later that year the group had its first hit with the Grammy-nominated The Way You Look Tonight, which peaked at No. 13 on Billboard's Hot 100. The Lettermen would place 19 more songs on Billboard charts over the next 10 years.
Two made the Top 10, 1962's When I Fall in Love and the Grammy-nominated 1968 medley Goin' Out of My Head/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You. Their last hit was 1971's Everything Is Good About You.
The Lettermen also earned Grammy nominations for best new artist of 1961 and for 1962's A Song For Young Love. Through those years the group toured constantly, playing colleges across the US and other venues around the world
The constant touring wore out Pike’s voice and he left the group in 1973, replaced by his youngest brother, Donny Pike. Gary Pike had replaced Engemann in 1967.
After regaining his voice Pike formed a group called The Reunion with Engemann.
The Lettermen, with Butala as the only remaining founding member, continues to tour. Engemann died in 2013.
In addition to his brothers, Pike is survived by his sister, Candace Doyle, his wife Sue and his daughter, Kelly Pike.
THE wrestler Adrian McCallum, who has died aged 36, was a British champion in the sport known by his ring name Lionheart.
McCallum was the reigning ICW (Insane Championship Wrestling) world heavyweight champion and also competed for WWE and TNA during his career.
The Scotland-based ICW said in a statement: "Adrian was a mainstay of ICW and British professional wrestling. Most importantly, he was our friend. His passing leaves a huge hole in the lives of those who knew him."
High-profile figures in the wrestling community paid tribute to the Scot after the news was announced.
WWE wrestler Cedric Alexander said he was crushed to hear of McCallum's death, while fellow WWE star Paige - real name Saraya-Jade Bevis - said she would be forever grateful to have known him.
Pete Dunne, the longest-reigning WWE UK champion, said: "I always looked up to Lionheart's professional approach to wrestling when it was far from that at the time. People like him were pivotal in the growth of a scene that has lead to so many people being able to do this for a living."
British wrestler Will Ospreay, who currently competes in Japan, said: "Every time I've met you, you have been nothing but a sweetheart. Devastated doesn't cover how I feel."
Meanwhile, Scottish actor Greg Hemphill, known for appearing in sitcom Still Game, called him a lovely guy. "Heartbroken for the whole wrestling family," he said. "What a talent and what a lovely guy."
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