An anionic polymerization initiator comprising the reaction product of a functionalizing agent selected from the group consisting of substituted aldimines, ketimines and secondary amines and, an organolithium compound. Elastomeric polymers prepared with these initiators have functional sites incorporated at the initiator end of the polymer chain and provide vulcanizable rubber compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis. Articles such as tires, produced with low hysteresis elastomeric polymers have lower rolling resistance. Methods are also provided for preparing the initiators, functionalized polymers and vulcanizable elastomeric compounds having reduced hysteresis.