Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis, born John Royce Mathis on September 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas, is a renowned American singer celebrated for his smooth tenor voice and romantic ballads. Raised in a large family in San Francisco, Mathis developed his musical talents early, influenced by his father, Clem Mathis, a former vaudeville performer. Mathis honed his skills with vocal lessons from age 13 and was also a talented athlete, earning an athletic scholarship to San Francisco State College.
Mathis's music career began in earnest when he was discovered singing at a local jazz club, leading to a contract with Columbia Records. Although he was invited to the 1956 Olympic trials for high jump, Mathis chose to pursue music. His early recordings, beginning with "Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Song" in 1956, initially had a jazz influence. However, his style evolved under Columbia's guidance to focus on pop ballads, leading to hits like "Wonderful! Wonderful!" and "Chances Are," his first No. 1 song.
Mathis's appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1957 catapulted him to fame, and his albums consistently topped charts. His 1958 "Johnny’s Greatest Hits" album set a record with 490 continuous weeks on the Billboard chart. Known for his Christmas music as well, Mathis's career has spanned decades, earning him the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings. His discography includes a diverse range of genres, from traditional pop to disco. Mathis remains a significant figure in music, with his influence and popularity enduring across generations.
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