Reunion
The musical trio known as Reunion have been singing together since 1983. Members of the group include Jim Pike. Jim was the organizer, a founding member, and the lead singer of the famed Lettermen in 1960 with Bobby Engemann and Tony Butala.
The other members of Reunion are Jim’s younger brother, Gary Pike, who joined the Lettermen in 1967, replacing Bobby Engemann who retired from the group. Gary performed vocals on many of the Lettermen’s hit songs. He retired from the Lettermen in 1975. The third member of the trio is Ric de Azevedo, a member of ABC’s first family of song, The King Family. In 1983, Jim and Bobby invited Ric to join them in creating Reunion. In 1997 Gary joined Reunion replacing Bobby Engemann once again. The group sings the popular songs of the 60s-80s with the members of the group singing their greatest hits. To its credit, the trio has received nine gold records and five Grammy nominations.
Jim and Gary have both been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of fame and have many gold records and awards to their credit. Jim’s solo “Love” was chosen to be on a United Nations Album that went gold and was placed in a time capsule on the moon. As “The Lettermen,” Jim and Gary had an unprecedented forty consecutive hit albums on Billboard Magazine’s national charts.
Jim Pike was born on 6 November 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri, and was raised in Idaho Falls, Twin Falls and Salmon, Idaho. He left the Lettermen in 1975 after losing his voice, leaving him to speak only in whispers for years that followed. His doctors told him that he would never be able to sing again. In 1982, he was called to serve as a counselor in the bishopric of the LDS ward that he was attending. The bishop at that time happened to be Ric’s brother, Lex de Azevedo. Jim was anxious about speaking at the pulpit because of his voice. However, his stake president promised him that if he would serve the Lord, he would be blessed and understood. When he rose to speak to the congregation for the first time as the new counselor, his voice opened and he spoke in rich normal tones that were understood by all. It was that experience that encouraged him to start singing again. He and his wife, Sue, have one daughter who is autistic but can sing beautifully.
Gary Pike was born on 31 July 1944 in Twin Falls, Idaho, and raised in Idaho Falls and Salmon, Idaho. He and his wife, Sharon, who was later diagnosed with Leukemia, had three children. Gary prayed faithfully and intently for his wife’s life, but she passed away on 5 July 2004. Some of his unbelieving friends taunted him with questions like, “What do you think of God now?” He responded that he accepted Heavenly Father’s decision to take her home, realizing that she was needed on the other side. He also bore testimony that for those who believe in God, the sting of death is only temporary, as we will see our loved ones again. Jim’s wife, Sue, later introduced Gary to Becky, and they were married in 2005.
Ric de Azevedo was born on 10 May 1947 in Studio City, California. He was a member of the famed “King Family” television program in the 1960s and 70s. He and his wife Anna have two children. Ric is the brother of composer Lex de Azevedo, and sees himself as the comic relief of Reunion. For most of his teen years, Ric had very little interest in religious matters. However, when Lex asked him to be in the cast of his stage production of Saturday’s Warrior, he became close friends with other members of the cast who helped him to understand the importance of including the Gospel in his life. That is where he met Anna, and they were later married in 1975.
Follow Reunion
Recent Posts
Eight-Time No. 1 Charting Billboard Pianist Paul Cardall is First Latter-day Saint to Receive the Dove Award
Paul Cardall, the eight-time No. 1 Billboard charting pianist, has become the first Latter-day Saint to be nominated for album of the year by the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. Paul’s 2018 album release, “Christmas” (produced by Jim Daneker), has been...
Donny and Marie Osmond to be Honored by Las Vegas Walk of Stars
Donald Clark Osmond was born on 9 December 1957 in Ogden, Utah. His sister Olive Marie Osmond was born on 13 October 1959, also in Ogden, Utah. Donald (or Donny as he is professionally known) was the fifth child and Marie (as she is professionally known) is the eighth...
Several LDS Music Artists Join The Nashville Tribute Band for an Interfaith Celebration Concert
On 27 July 2019, more than 20,000 people gathered in Nampa, Idaho, at the Ford Idaho Center for an Interfaith Celebration, which was organized by The Nashville Tribute Band as part of their Redeemer Concert Tour. Instead of a ticket, attendees were asked to bring cans...
What is the Most Requested Song For the New Church Hymnal?
Over the past year, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often mistakenly referred to as “the Mormon Church”) have submitted their own hymns and music for the new Church hymnbook and children’s songbook. In addition, members have also had the...
Latter-day Saint Choir’s Light Shines Bright During Blackout in New York City
History sometimes has an unusual way of repeating itself as those in New York City can attest. On Wednesday, 13 July 1977, 42 years ago, New York City experienced a blackout that left 9 million customers without power. That event was somewhat repeated on the evening...
Join Kurt Bestor, Jenny Oaks Baker, and Family Four on an Eastern Carribean Cruise to Help Raise Money to Fight Cancer
How would you like an opportunity to go on a luxury Eastern Carribean cruise aboard the Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas? Well, now is your opportunity. On 12-19 January 2020, you can set sail with America’s Violinist, Jenny Oaks Baker, and world-renowned composer...