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Johnny Mathis performing at Radio City Music Hall in 1982.
Johnny Mathis's career spanned nearly 70 years, releasing 70 albums and selling over 350 million records worldwide.
Today, Johnny Mathis will step onto the stage for the final time at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey, concluding a remarkable seven-decade career that redefined American pop music and quietly broke barriers for queer artists worldwide.
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Mathis, who will be 90 in September, announced his retirement from live performances after a remarkable career spanning almost 70 years. Mathis is leaving the stage due to age and increasing memory issues. His team shared the news on his Facebook page, expressing heartfelt gratitude to fans and hinting at potential new music in the future.
Born in Gilmer, Texas, and raised in San Francisco, Mathis's journey to stardom began in the mid-1950s. His hits "Wonderful! Wonderful!" and "It's Not for Me to Say" catapulted him to fame in the late 50s, followed by the chart-topping "Chances Are." His 1958 album, "Johnny's Greatest Hits," spent almost 500 consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts, according to the Smithsonian. The institution notes that is about 10 years. It's a record that stood for decades.
Related: Johnny Mathis and Stories from His 65 Years in Show Business
Throughout his illustrious career, Mathis released over 70 albums and sold more than 350 million records worldwide. His smooth tenor voice became synonymous with romantic ballads and holiday classics, earning him the nickname "The Voice of Romance."
In addition to being an enormously popular singer, Mathis was also a global superstar and heartthrob.
His contributions to music were recognized with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003 and inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame for songs like "Chances Are," "Misty," and "It's Not for Me to Say."
Beyond his musical achievements, Mathis holds a significant place in LGBTQ+ history. In a 1982 interview, he inadvertently acknowledged his sexuality, stating, "Homosexuality is a way of life that I've grown accustomed to." Mathis said he received death threats after the interview. It wasn't until years later that he openly discussed his identity, becoming one of the first global queer superstars to do so.
In an exclusive 2021 interview with The Advocate, Mathis reflected on his life, talking about his childhood, that included six brothers and sisters, and how he adored his parents, "My dad was white, and my mom was black. And my dad had a lot of Latin influence in him,” he recalled. “It was my dad who pushed me to pursue singing. He was always my biggest supporter and my very best friend."
He also explained that his life was somewhat arduous when he came out in 1982, "Yes, it was difficult,” he said. “Back then, you didn't talk about things like that; however, I never worried about it too much. I just kept thinking that being gay didn't affect my performance or how the audience reacted to my singing. I just resolved to myself that everything was going to be OK."
And he also expressed gratitude for his fans' unwavering support. "I've had a wonderful life, and I've been very lucky to have people who care about me and my music,” he shared.
Mathis's quiet courage paved the way for future generations of queer artists. Today, performers like Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Brandi Carlile, and Lil Nas X, and many others continue to break boundaries, building upon the foundation Mathis laid decades ago.
As he got older, Mathis eventually did become more comfortable with his sexuality, telling The Advocate, "I've come to the realization at this age that my sexuality is always going to be a source of interest because I'm a public figure, and I just thank God that society has changed and that being gay is not such a big deal anymore and that society is more accepting."
