Menu
Johnny Mathis

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

John Royce "Johnny" Mathis, born in September 1935 in Gilmer, Texas, is a renowned American singer best known for his smooth vocal style that earned him the nickname "the velvet voice." Raised in San Francisco, Mathis began his musical career performing with friends during weekend nights at local bars. His early exposure to diverse musical styles laid the foundation for his versatile repertoire, which includes Brazilian pop, soul, blues, jazz, country, and disco.

Related Biography: Byron Allen

During one of his early performances, Mathis impressed the owner of the Black Hawk Club in San Francisco, who introduced him to George Avakian, a producer at Columbia Records. Captivated by Mathis’s voice, Avakian quickly arranged for a contract, requesting that the paperwork be sent immediately and even signed a blank contract in anticipation. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Mathis's professional career, leading him to New York City, where he secured an apartment and began recording.

Breakthrough and Musical Success

In 1957, Mathis released his debut album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Song. Adjusting his vocal style toward a slower, more romantic tone, he soon found commercial success with hits such as "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Wonderful! Wonderful!" These songs solidified his place in the popular music scene during the late 1950s.

That same year, he made a brief foray into acting with an appearance in the MGM television film Lizzie. He followed with a role in A Certain Smile, which featured a song of the same name. Although he pursued acting on a limited scale, his music was already the primary driver of his fame. Appearances on shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show further boosted his visibility and acclaim.


Quick Facts
Birth Date: 30 Sep, 1935
Age: 84 yrs
Occupations: Jazz musician
Singer
Recording artist
Citizenship: United States of America
Birth Place: Gilmer
Education: San Francisco State University
Gender: Male
Description: American singer, recording artist
Twitter Id: MathisJohnny
Net Worth 2021: 400 million
Help us Edit this article and get a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift card.
Last Modified: Jun 5 2025
You may also like