Legendary Singer Johnny Mathis Bows Out with Final Performance
Johnny Mathis, the iconic American pop singer, will take to the stage for the final time at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey, marking the end of a remarkable seven-decade career that redefined the music industry and broke barriers for queer artists worldwide. As reported by Yahoo Entertainment, Mathis, who will turn 90 in September, announced his retirement from live performances due to age and increasing memory issues.
According to Yahoo Entertainment, Mathis’s journey to stardom began in the mid-1950s, with hits like "Wonderful! Wonderful!" and "It’s Not for Me to Say" catapulting him to fame in the late 50s. His 1958 album, "Johnny’s Greatest Hits," spent almost 500 consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts, a record that stood for decades, as noted by the Smithsonian. The album’s success earned Mathis the nickname "The Voice of Romance," and he went on to release over 70 albums and sell more than 350 million records worldwide.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mathis received 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." As Yahoo Entertainment reported, Mathis’s contributions to music have been recognized globally, and he has been hailed as a trailblazer for queer artists.
Mathis holds a significant place in LGBTQ+ history, and his quiet courage paved the way for future generations of queer artists. In a 1982 interview, he inadvertently acknowledged his sexuality, stating, "Homosexuality is a way of life that I’ve grown accustomed to." As quoted in Yahoo Entertainment, Mathis said he received death threats after the interview, but eventually became more comfortable with his identity, telling The Advocate in 2021, "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."
In the same interview with The Advocate, Mathis reflected on his life, talking about his childhood and 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." As reported by Yahoo Entertainment, Mathis also expressed gratitude for his fans’ unwavering support, saying, "I’ve had a wonderful life, and I’ve been very lucky to have people who care about me and my music.”
As Mathis concludes his final performance, he leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence artists today. Performers like Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Brandi Carlile, and Lil Nas X, among many others, have built upon the foundation Mathis laid decades ago, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a queer artist in the music industry. As Yahoo Entertainment noted, Mathis’s impact on the music industry will be remembered for generations to come.
