Singer Johnny Mathis has announced he’s retiring from touring after close to seven decades in the public spotlight.
The announcement confirmed that the 89-year-old recording artist will play a few more shows before taking the stage for a final time on May 18 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
Mathis has been actively touring since the debut of his self-titled album in 1956. Despite changing trends, the singer kept a core fan base and recorded 53 studio albums between 1960 and 1990, per The Guardian.
“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” a statement shared on Facebook said. “So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring and live concerts.”
“Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’”
The statement also said that any tickets purchased for shows scheduled in June would be eligible for a refund. Aside from the New Jersey stop, other upcoming shows include Mathis performing on April 10 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania; April 26 in Shipshewana, Indiana; and May 10 in Santa Rosa, California.
Despite the announcement regarding Mathis’s failing health, the legendary singer was just given a positive review for one of his shows in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
The reviewer from the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote that the singer put on “the most beautifully romantic concert in a theater in recent memory.”
“Although he mentioned that he hadn’t sung in a while, you could have closed your eyes and imagined it was 1960-something. Mathis’ voice was remarkably pristine, a little richer with less quivering, fewer low notes and startling power. He often sang with the microphone away from his mouth — even down to his waist a couple of times — and his voice was strong, clear and ideally emotive,” the reviewer said, noting that Mathis “earned a mid-show standing ovation from about 1,500 concertgoers” after performing “Moon River.”
In 2018, Mathis spoke about how his health would influence his career. “It revolves around whether or not you’re physically able and in good health,” he said, as The Guardian noted. “That’s the most important thing because you won’t feel like doing anything if you’re not healthy. And being a vocalist, you have another thing to worry about. The vocals cords are flesh and blood so anything can happen to them … You take care of the thing that got you to the dance.”
Mathis has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings.
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Singer Johnny Mathis has announced he’s retiring from touring after close to seven decades in the public spotlight.
The announcement confirmed that the 89-year-old recording artist will play a few more shows before taking the stage for a final time on May 18 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
Mathis has been actively touring since the debut of his self-titled album in 1956. Despite changing trends, the singer kept a core fan base and recorded 53 studio albums between 1960 and 1990, per The Guardian.
“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” a statement shared on Facebook said. “So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring and live concerts.”
“Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’”
The statement also said that any tickets purchased for shows scheduled in June would be eligible for a refund. Aside from the New Jersey stop, other upcoming shows include Mathis performing on April 10 in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania; April 26 in Shipshewana, Indiana; and May 10 in Santa Rosa, California.
Despite the announcement regarding Mathis’s failing health, the legendary singer was just given a positive review for one of his shows in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
The reviewer from the Minneapolis Star Tribune wrote that the singer put on “the most beautifully romantic concert in a theater in recent memory.”
“Although he mentioned that he hadn’t sung in a while, you could have closed your eyes and imagined it was 1960-something. Mathis’ voice was remarkably pristine, a little richer with less quivering, fewer low notes and startling power. He often sang with the microphone away from his mouth — even down to his waist a couple of times — and his voice was strong, clear and ideally emotive,” the reviewer said, noting that Mathis “earned a mid-show standing ovation from about 1,500 concertgoers” after performing “Moon River.”
In 2018, Mathis spoke about how his health would influence his career. “It revolves around whether or not you’re physically able and in good health,” he said, as The Guardian noted. “That’s the most important thing because you won’t feel like doing anything if you’re not healthy. And being a vocalist, you have another thing to worry about. The vocals cords are flesh and blood so anything can happen to them … You take care of the thing that got you to the dance.”
Mathis has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings.
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