Balladeer Johnny Mathis, 89, Retiring From Live Performance
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Johnny Mathis (Photo from his Facebook page)
Johnny Mathis, the ballad singer whose 1950s hits including “Chances Are,” “It’s Not for Me to Say” and “Misty” helped to define that era alongside rock and roll, will quit performing live. The news was announced on March 26, 2025, in a post on his Facebook page, citing age and memory issues. Mathis turned 89 last Sept. 30. The statement read, in part:
“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year. So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring and live concerts.”
The statement added that Mathis will continue his current “Voice of Romance” tour through its final scheduled show, set for May 18 at the Bergen PAC in Englewood, N.J. Several concerts that had previously been scheduled for later in 2025 have been cancelled. Tickets for Mathis’ final performances—in Pennsylvania, Indiana, California and New Jersey—are available here and here.
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The statement concluded with, “Johnny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music.”
Watch Johnny Mathis perform “Misty” live in 2023
John Royce Mathis was born Sept. 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Tex., and moved with his family to San Francisco at age 5. He began singing at school and church functions during his childhood and formed a band with keyboardist Merl Saunders, who would later go on to success as a musical partner of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia. A gifted athlete, it was thought that Mathis might make his career in sports but after being discovered and taken on as a client by talent manager Helen Noga, he switched his focus to music.
In 1955, Mathis signed with Columbia Records, releasing his debut album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song, in 1956. With Mitch Miller assigned to produce him, Mathis’ debut single for the label that same year, “Wonderful! Wonderful!,” rose to #14 in Billboard, followed in 1957 by three consecutive top 10 hits: “It’s Not for Me to Say,” “Chances Are” (which reached #1) and “The Twelfth of Never.” Other hits followed, most notably “Misty” in 1959, and “Gina” and “What Will Mary Say” in 1962 and ’63, respectively. Among his many albums, his first compilation, 1958’s Johnny’s Greatest Hits, reached #1 and was awarded platinum status three times over.
Johnny Mathis in the ’50s (Photo from his website)
As rock and roll continued to dominate, Mathis’ reign at the top of the charts ended, although he continued releasing singles and albums. He switched briefly to Mercury Records in 1963 but when that move did not return him to his former glory, he went back to Columbia. It wasn’t until 1978, however, that he regained his prominence, returning to #1 with “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late,” a duet with vocalist Deniece Williams, but that proved to be his last hurrah as a chart presence.
The absence of new hits did not impact his career as a concert attraction though, and Mathis has remained a formidable draw in that arena up to the present day. He has also racked up numerous awards and honors: three of his singles—“Chances Are,” “Misty” and “It’s Not for Me to Say”—have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 2003 Mathis received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His recordings are available in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
Watch Johnny Mathis perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1962
Related: That Sinatra vs. Mathis scene in the film Diner
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationHe certainly earned his retirement. God Bless him and thanks for the beautiful songs and memories. ❤️
The greatest crooner of the last 70 years. Saw him live 8 times over 4 decades, he was simply the best, ever! Saw Sinatra, Bennett and Torme live, all good, but no way were they on the level of Johnny. He had a voice that could sing anything. A lot like Linda Ronstadt, who also could sing anything. We’ll never see another Johnny.