Johnny Mathis is one of the last and most popular in a long line of traditional male vocalists. He burst on the scene focusing on jazz, but quickly became known for his romantic ballads. One factor that may have helped his career is the fact he hit it big with songs like, "Wonderful, Wonderful,"Â "It's Not For Me To Say"Â and his first number one song, "Chances Are,"Â before the rock-dominated '60s took hold. The beauty of his enduring style is that his music appeals to all generations, which is why many of his LPs hit gold or platinum and over 60 made the charts.
The fourth of seven children, Johnny Mathis was born on September 30, 1935 in Gilmer, Texas. At an early age, the family moved to San Francisco. There, Johnny learned an appreciation of music from his father who taught him his first song, "My Blue Heaven."Â 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.
Throughout high school and college, Johnny not only excelled as a singer, but was also a proficient athlete. In 1954, Johnny enrolled at San Francisco State College with the intention of being an English and Physical Education teacher. While there, he set a high jump record of 6'-5 1/2"Â, which is still on the college's Top 15 list and was only two inches short of the Olympic record of the time.
In September 1955, Johnny landed a job singing weekends at Ann Dee's 440 Club where George Avakian, then head of Jazz A&R at Columbia, heard Johnny sing and sent the now famous telegram to his record company: "Have found phenomenal 19 year old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts."Â
Johnny has received three Grammy nominations and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame twice. In his free time, Johnny loves to golf and plays almost every day when he's not traveling. Johnny is also a gourmet cook - his mother taught him at an early age how to cook up a storm and he has enjoyed doing so all his life.
Tickets for Johnny Mathis, on Friday & Saturday, February 2 & 3 at 8pm, are on sale now. Ticket prices are $125/95/85/65. -- www.mccallumtheatre.com
Posted January 24th, 2007 by ruzik_tuzik
