Johnny Mathis Biography

Legendary singer Johnny Mathis was born in 1935 in Gilmer, Texas, but spent his formative years in San Francisco, California. Growing up in an artistic household with a father who was a vaudeville entertainer, Johnny's natural musical talent was nurtured early on. His father purchased a used piano for him, and by a young age, Mathis was already performing at church functions and school events, displaying an exceptional affinity for music.

At the age of thirteen, Mathis began bartering with a local voice teacher, offering housework in exchange for lessons, which he continued until he was nearly twenty. While in high school, he started a band with a classmate, but after graduating, he initially pursued a degree in education at San Francisco State University, aspiring to become a teacher. This path would take a significant turn when a classmate introduced him to the vibrant nightclub scene, leading to a life-changing jam session that caught the attention of a club manager who offered to help launch his music career.

Johnny Mathis quickly gained local recognition, culminating in a pivotal moment when an A&R executive for Columbia Records, George Avakian, discovered him at a nightclub and sent an enthusiastic telegram back to the label stating he had found a "phenomenal nineteen-year-old boy who could go all the way." In 1956, Mathis recorded his debut album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Song, which featured jazz-oriented pieces that garnered some success but did not fully capture the stardom he desired. It was not until he collaborated with a new music producer and transitioned to a softer, romantic sound that he recorded iconic ballads like "Wonderful, Wonderful" and "It's Not For Me To Say."

To expand his presence, Mathis also began performing in films for MGM, appearing in movies such as Lizzie and A Certain Smile. His breakout hit, "Chances Are," released in 1957, became his first number-one single, helping to cement his status as a major singer. The same year, his appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show further propelled his recognition, and for the next two decades, Mathis released a string of chart-topping hits, including "Small World" (1959), "Misty" (1959), and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (1978).

Johnny Mathis is one of the few artists whose music has resonated across four decades, earning him three Grammy nominations, including a recent nomination in 2006 for "Isn't it Romantic." He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame for "Chances Are" and "Misty," and in 2003, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Even in his early eighties, Mathis shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to perform live, having limited his concert schedule to about 50 to 60 shows per year. Mathis remains one of the last pop singers to travel with his own full orchestra, captivating audiences with his timeless voice and charm. His legacy is further evidenced by his 2016 performance for a sold-out audience in The Villages, Florida, during his "60th Anniversary Concert Tour," and the release of his 2017 album, Johnny Mathis Sings the Great New American Song Book.

Throughout his remarkable career, Johnny Mathis has become an enduring symbol of romantic music, leaving an indelible mark on the American music landscape and continuing to inspire fans with his artistry.