EAST TEXAS NATIVE, LEGENDARY CROONER JOHNNY MATHIS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM LIVE SHOWS

An iconic voice synonymous with love songs and Christmas is retiring from live performances.

According to his website, Gilmer native Johnny Mathis, who is nearing the age of 90, will retire from live shows and touring due to his age and accelerated memory issues.

The "Chances Are" singer was born on Sept. 30, 1935, in Buckeye Country to Clem and Mildred Mathis. He was the fourth of seven children. 

"As a small boy, the family moved to Post Street in San Francisco," his website states. "It was there that he learned an appreciation of music from his father who taught him his first song, “My Blue Heaven”. At age eight, his father purchased an old upright piano for $25. When he brought it home, it wouldn’t fit through the front door. So that evening, Johnny stayed up all night to watch his father dismantle the piano, get it into the small living room of their basement apartment and then reassemble it."

Mathis is the longest-running artist on the Columbia Records label with more than 17 million RIAA certified album and single sales in the U.S., according to his website.

Mathis' final concerts will run April 10-May 18, in Shippensburg, PA; Shipshewana, IN; Santa Rosa, CA; and Englewood, NH.

"Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music," the statement from the Mathis team said. "It's truly been 'Wonderful Wonderful.'"

2025-03-27T15:50:29Z