John Royce "Johnny" Mathis (born September 30, 1935) is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer of
popular musicPopular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
. Starting his career with singles of
standardIn music, a standard is a tune or song of established popularity.-See also:* Blues standard* Jazz standard* Pop standard* Great American Songbook-Further reading:* Greatest Rock Standards, published by Hal Leonard ISBN 0793588391...
s, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the
Billboard chartsThe Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
. According to Guinness Book of World Records writer and charts music historian
Paul GambacciniPaul Matthew Gambaccini is a radio and television presenter in the United Kingdom...
, Johnny Mathis has sold 350 million records worldwide.
Early life
Mathis was born in
Gilmer, TexasGilmer is also the name of a county in West Virginia.Gilmer is a town in and the county seat of Upshur County, Texas, United States. It is best known for being the birthplace of popular music singer Johnny Mathis. The population was 4,799 at the 2000 census...
, the fourth of seven children of Clem Mathis and his wife, Mildred Boyd, an African-American. Their family moved to San Francisco,
CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, settling on 32nd Ave. in the Richmond District, where he grew up. His father had worked in
vaudevilleVaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
, and when he saw his son's talent, he bought an old upright piano for US$25 and encouraged his efforts. Mathis began learning songs and routines from his father; his first song being "My Blue Heaven." Mathis started singing and dancing for visitors at home, and at school and church functions.
When Mathis was thirteen, Connie Cox, a voice teacher, accepted him as her student in exchange for his work around her house. He studied Cox for six years, learning vocal scales and exercises, voice production, classical and operatic skills. He is one of the few popular singers who received years of professional voice training that included opera. The first band Mathis would sing with was formed by fellow high school student
Merl SaundersMerl Saunders, was an American multi-genre musician who played piano and keyboards, favoring the Hammond B-3 console organ.-Biography:...
. Mathis eulogized him in October, 2007 at his funeral, to thank him for giving him his first chance as a singer.
Mathis was a star athlete at
George Washington High SchoolGeorge Washington High School is a public high school in Richmond District, San Francisco, California. The school is a part of the San Francisco Unified School District...
. He was a high jumper and hurdler, and played on the basketball team, earning four athletic letters. In 1954, he enrolled at
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
on a scholarship, intending to become an English and physical education teacher.
Music career
He was spotted at a jam session by Helen Noga, former head cocktail waitress and co-owner of The Black Hawk Club at 200 Hyde Street in San Francisco and The DownBeat Club along with her husband John, and Guido Caccienti. She became his manager. The clubs attracted the world's finest jazz musicians, including
Dave BrubeckDavid Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
,
Miles DavisMiles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
, and
Billie HolidayBillie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
. John Noga and Guido Caccienti had opened the Black Hawk in the fall of 1949 for $10,000. In September 1955, after Noga landed Mathis a job singing weekends at Ann Dee's 440 Club, she ruthlessly pursued jazz producer
George AvakianGeorge Avakian is an American record producer and executive known particularly for his work with Columbia Records, and his production of albums by Miles Davis and other notable jazz musicians....
, who she found out was on vacation in the Bay Area. Avakian came to see him sing, and subsequently sent a telegram to
Columbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
noting: Have found phenomenal 19-year old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.
At San Francisco State, Mathis had gained fame as a high jumper and in early 1956, he had been asked to attend the trials for the 1956 Olympic teams that would travel to Melbourne, Australia that summer. Mathis now had to decide whether to go to the Olympic tryouts, or to keep an appointment in
New YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to make his first recordings, which were subsequently released in 1956. With his father's advice, Mathis opted for a recording career.
His first album Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song was a slow-selling jazz album, but Mathis stayed in New York to play the clubs. His second album was produced by Columbia records vice-president and producer
Mitch MillerMitchell William "Mitch" Miller was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive...
, who defined the Mathis sound - he preferred him to sing soft, romantic ballads, initially pairing him with arranger/conductor
Ray ConniffJoseph Raymond Conniff was an American bandleader and arranger best known for his Ray Conniff Singers during the 1960s.-Biography:...
, and later,
Ray EllisRay Ellis was an American record producer, arranger and conductor. The orchestration for Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin is probably his best known work in the jazz vein.-Biography:...
, Glenn Osser and Robert Mersey. In late 1956, Mathis recorded two of his most popular songs - "
Wonderful! Wonderful!"Wonderful! Wonderful!" is a popular music song written by Sherman Edwards, with lyrics by Ben Raleigh. The song was first published in 1957....
" and "
It's Not For Me To Say"It's Not for Me to Say" is a 1957 popular song with music by Robert Allen and lyrics by Al Stillman. It was written for the 1957 movie Lizzie , and was sung by Johnny Mathis....
." That year MGM signed Mathis to sing the latter song in the 1957 film
LizzieLizzie is a 1957 drama film directed by Hugo Haas. The movie is based on the novel The Bird's Nest by Shirley Jackson and stars Eleanor Parker, Richard Boone, and Joan Blondell. The popular songs "It's Not for Me to Say" and "Warm and Tender" were written for this film, and performed by Johnny...
, and shortly afterward he made his second film appearance for
20th Century FoxTwentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
singing the song "
A Certain Smile"A Certain Smile" is a popular song. It was written for the 1958 film of the same name based on the novel A Certain Smile by Françoise Sagan. The song was nominated for the 1958 Academy Award for Best Original Song....
" in the film of the same name. He had small acting roles in both movies as a bar singer. This early cinematic visibility in two successful movies gave him mass exposure. Next was his appearance on the very popular Ed Sullivan Show in 1957, which helped to boost his profile. Critics called him the velvet voice. He also appeared at this time on
ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's
The Pat Boone Chevy ShowroomThe Pat Boone Chevy Showroom is a half-hour variety show that aired on ABC from October 3, 1957 to June 23, 1960, starring the young singer Pat Boone and a host of top-name guest stars. The program was of course sponsored by Chevrolet...
, as did other black entertainers
Ella FitzgeraldElla Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
and
Pearl BaileyPearl Mae Bailey was an American actress and singer. After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968...
.
In summer of 1958, Mathis left San Francisco with the Nogas, who sold their interest in the Black Hawk club that year to Max Weiss, secretary-treasurer of San Francisco's avant-garde Fantasy Records, and moved to Beverly Hills where the Nogas purchased a home in which Mathis lived with them, their daughter Beverly, and their granddaughter, at 806 North Elm Drive at the corner of Elm and Sunset Boulevard, built in 1931 by the Max Factor family and later owned by Mabel C. Birdwell and Lillian and Ben Young, for about $99,500, which the Nogas later sold to singer
Dionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
in the summer of 1973 for around $359,500. Helen Noga, looking to expand her operations into production, financing, and publishing, also founded and funded Philles Records in 1961 with Phil Spector, with Lester Sills handling the business side of sales and promotion, which launched the Crystals in September 1961. Using money from Liberty Records, Noga was bought out by Spector in 1962 for around $60,000. Mathis had two of his biggest hits in the years 1962 and 1963, with "Gina" (#6) and "What Will Mary Say" (#9). In October 1964, Mathis sued Noga to void the management arrangement, which Noga fought with a counterclaim in December 1964. Mathis purchased a mansion in the
Hollywood HillsThe Hollywood Hills is an affluent and exclusive neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, in the southeastern Santa Monica Mountains. It is bound by Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west, Vermont Avenue to the east, Mulholland Drive to the north, and Sunset Boulevard to the south.-Hollywood Hills...
, that was originally built by billionaire
Howard HughesHoward Robard Hughes, Jr. was an American business magnate, investor, aviator, engineer, film producer, director, and philanthropist. He was one of the wealthiest people in the world...
in 1946, and later owned by hotel owner Hyatt R. Von Dehn and Oilman Robert Calhoun, and where he still maintains a residence.
After splitting from Noga, Mathis established Jon Mat Records, Inc., incorporated in California May 11, 1967 to produce his recordings (previously, he created Global Records, Inc. to produce his Mercury albums), and Rojon Productions, Inc., incorporated in California September 30, 1964 to handle all of his concert, theater, showroom and television appearances, and all promotional and charitable activities. His new manager and business partner was Ray Haughn, who helped guide his career until his death in September 1984. Since that time, Mathis has taken sole responsibility for his career, operating from office suites at 1612 W Olive Avenue in Burbank. With the exception of a four-year break with
Mercury RecordsMercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
in the mid-1960s, he has been with Columbia Records throughout his recording career.
Pieces of music from numerous Mathis albums continue to be used throughout motion pictures and television with great effect to impart nostalgia or mood themes, for example "
Chances Are"Chances Are" is a popular song with music by Robert Allen and lyrics by Al Stillman. It was published in 1957. The song was one of a large number of compositions by the Stillman-Allen team that were chart hits in the 1950s. It was listed on Billboards "Most Played by Jockeys" survey for Johnny...
" memorably used during an alien visit in the 1977 film
Close Encounters of the Third KindClose Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. The film stars Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, and Cary Guffey...
, and various numbers currently in the hit TV series
Mad MenMad Men is an American dramatic television series created and produced by Matthew Weiner. The series premiered on Sunday evenings on the American cable network AMC and are produced by Lionsgate Television. It premiered on July 19, 2007, and completed its fourth season on October 17, 2010. Each...
.
Although he is frequently described as a romantic singer, his
discographyDiscography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
includes
jazzJazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
,
traditional popTraditional pop or classic pop or standards music denotes, in general, Western popular music that either wholly predates the advent of rock and roll in the mid-1950s, or to any popular music which exists concurrently to rock and roll but originated in a time before the appearance of rock and roll,...
, Brazilian and Spanish music,
SoulSoul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, R&B, soft rock,
BroadwayBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
,
Tin Pan AlleyTin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
standards, some blues and country songs, and even a few
discoDisco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
tunes for his album Mathis Magic (1979). In 1980/81 Mathis recorded an album with
Chic'sChic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
Bernard EdwardsBernard Edwards born in Greenville, North Carolina, was a bass player and record producer, both as a member of the Funk/Disco band Chic and on his own. He died of pneumonia while touring in Japan.-History:...
and
Nile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
, I Love My Lady, which remains unreleased, the only official appearance of any material from the project being the inclusion of three tracks on a Chic box set in 2010. Mathis also remains associated with holiday music, having recorded five
ChristmasChristmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
albums. Mathis has the distinction of having the longest stay of any recording artist on the Columbia Record label, having been with the label from 1956 to 1963 and from 1968 to the present.
In 1958, Johnny’s Greatest Hits was released and was the first ever Greatest Hits album in the music industry. It began the Greatest Hits tradition copied by every record company. The 1981 release of his 25th Anniversary Album, a double LP, spent an unprecedented 491 consecutive weeks until 1990 (nine and a half years) on the Billboard top 100 album charts, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records . He has had five of his albums on the Billboard charts simultaneously, an achievement equaled by only two other singers,
Frank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
and
Barry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
. He released 200 singles and had 71 songs charted around the world. Recordings Historian Paul Gambacini confims Mathis recordings have sold well over 350 million worldwide and he is the 3rd most successful recording artist in the USA.
He has received three Grammy awards. In 1979, his hit duet "The Last Time I Felt Like This" from the film
Same Time, Next YearSame Time, Next Year is 1975 comedy play by Bernard Slade. The plot focuses on two people, married to others, who meet for a romantic tryst once a year for two dozen years.-Plot:...
was nominated for an
Academy Award for Best Original SongThe Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
. Mathis and
Jane OlivorJane Olivor is an American cabaret singer. She was initially compared, often favorably, to Barbra Streisand and Édith Piaf.-Background:...
sang the song at the Oscar ceremony. This was his second performance at the Academy Awards. He has taped twelve of his own television specials and made over 300 television guest appearances with 33 of them being on
The Tonight ShowThe Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
. Through the years his songs (or parts of them) have been heard in 100 plus television shows and films around the globe. His appearance on the
Live by RequestLive by Request is a television show on the A&E Network. On it, notable artists hold concerts where the set list would be determined by viewer phone calls. The show was created based on an idea by Tony Bennett. Bennett starred in its first episode, which ran on Valentine's Day 1997; during that...
broadcast in May 1998 on the
A&E NetworkThe A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
had the largest television viewing audience of the series. Also in 1989, Johnny sang the theme for the ABC daytime soap opera
LovingCaden Grant Carlton loves Mika Ayako Ryan more.Loving is an American television soap opera which aired on ABC's daytime lineup from June 26, 1983 to November 10, 1995 for 3,169 episodes...
.
Mathis continues to perform but from 2000 onwards has limited his concert engagements to fifty to sixty appearances per year. In 2006, his schedule included a UK tour that included his annual Scottish golf vacation and attendance at the 2006
Ryder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
, two stints at his favourite Hilton Hotel in
Las VegasLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. Tonight Show host
Johnny CarsonJohn William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host and comedian, known as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson for 30 years . Carson received six Emmy Awards including the Governor Award and a 1985 Peabody Award; he was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 1987...
said: "Johnny Mathis is the best ballad singer in the world." He appeared on the NBC Tonight Show with
Jay LenoJames Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
as a guest on March 29, 2007 performing the classic "
The Shadow of Your Smile"The Shadow of Your Smile", also known as "Love Theme from The Sandpiper", is a popular song. The music was written by Johnny Mandel with the lyrics written by Paul Francis Webster...
" with saxophonist
Dave KozDave Koz is an American smooth jazz saxophonist.- Life and career :Dave Koz was born on March 27, 1963 in Encino, California....
. Mathis returned to the UK Top 20 album chart in 2007 with the Sony BMG release "The Very Best of Johnny Mathis" and again in 2008 with the Columbia CD "A Night to Remember". Also in 2007, he was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
A performance by Mathis in Florida in 2009 netted him $65,000 in artist fees and royalties.
Personal life
In a 1982 Us Magazine article, Mathis was quoted as having said, "Homosexuality is a way of life that I've grown accustomed to." Us Magazine later retracted the statement. After more than 20 years of silence on the subject, Mathis revealed in an interview, in 2006, that his silence was due to death threats he received as a result of that 1982 article. On April 13, 2006, Mathis granted a podcast interview with The Strip in which he talked about the subject once again, and how some of his reticence to speak of the subject was partially generational.
Despite missing the Olympic high jump trials, he has never abandoned his enthusiasm for sports and today is an avid
golfGolf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er who has achieved six holes-in-one, and has hosted several Johnny Mathis Golf Tournaments in the United Kingdom and the US. Since 1985 he has been hosting a charity golf tournament in Belfast sponsored by Shell corporation, and the annual Johnny Mathis Invitational Track & Field Meet has continued at San Francisco State University since it started in 1982.
In 1982 he published a cookbook, Cooking for You Alone.
Mathis has undergone rehab for both alcohol and prescription drug addictions.
He has supported many organizations through the years, including the
American Cancer SocietyThe American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
, the
March of DimesThe March of Dimes Foundation is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.-Organization:...
, the
YWCAThe YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
and
YMCAThe Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, the
Muscular Dystrophy AssociationThe Muscular Dystrophy Association is an American organization which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public...
and the NAACP.
Grammy history
Mathis received the
Lifetime Achievement AwardThe Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to "performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording."...
in 2003, by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. This Special Merit Award is presented by vote of the Recording Academy's National Trustees to performers who, during their lifetimes, have made creative contributions of outstanding artist significance to the field of recording.
Grammy Hall of Fame
Johnny Mathis was inducted into the
Grammy Hall of FameThe Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance"...
, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance."
| Grammy Hall of Fame Awards |
| Year Recorded |
Title |
Genre |
Label |
Year Inducted |
| 1957 |
"It's Not for Me to Say "It's Not for Me to Say" is a 1957 popular song with music by Robert Allen and lyrics by Al Stillman. It was written for the 1957 movie Lizzie , and was sung by Johnny Mathis....
" |
Traditional Pop (Single) |
Columbia |
2008 |
| 1959 |
"Misty "Misty" is a jazz standard written in 1954 by the pianist Erroll Garner.Originally composed as an instrumental following the traditional 32-bar format, the tune later had lyrics by Johnny Burke and became the signature song of Johnny Mathis, reaching #12 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart in 1959...
" |
Traditional Pop (Single) |
Columbia |
2002 |
| 1957 |
"Chances Are "Chances Are" is a popular song with music by Robert Allen and lyrics by Al Stillman. It was published in 1957. The song was one of a large number of compositions by the Stillman-Allen team that were chart hits in the 1950s. It was listed on Billboards "Most Played by Jockeys" survey for Johnny...
" |
Traditional Pop (Single) |
Columbia |
1998 |
Singles
| Year |
Single |
Chart positions |
| US The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
|
US
ACThe Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
|
US
R&BHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
|
UK The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
|
| 1957 |
"Wonderful! Wonderful!" |
14 |
- |
- |
— |
| "It's Not For Me To Say" |
5 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Chances Are" |
1 |
- |
12 |
— |
| "The Twelfth of Never" |
9 |
- |
- |
— |
| "No Love (But Your Love)" |
21 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Wild Is the Wind" |
22 |
- |
- |
— |
| 1958 |
"Come To Me" |
22 |
- |
- |
— |
| "All the Time" |
21 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Teacher, Teacher" |
21 |
- |
- |
27 |
| "A Certain Smile" |
14 |
- |
- |
4 |
| "Call Me" |
21 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Winter Wonderland" |
- |
- |
- |
17 |
| 1959 |
"Let's Love" |
44 |
- |
- |
— |
| "You Are Beautiful" |
60 |
- |
- |
38 |
| "Someone" |
35 |
- |
- |
6 |
| "Small World" |
20 |
- |
- |
— |
| "You Are Everything To Me" |
109 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Misty" |
12 |
- |
10 |
12 |
| "The Story of Our Love" |
93 |
- |
- |
— |
| "The Best of Everything" |
62 |
- |
- |
30 |
| 1960 |
"Starbright" |
25 |
- |
- |
47 |
| "Maria" |
78 |
- |
- |
— |
| "My Love For You" |
47 |
- |
- |
9 |
| "How To Handle a Woman" |
64 |
- |
- |
— |
| 1961 |
"You Set My Heart To Music" |
107 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Jenny" |
118 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Wasn't the Summer Short?" |
89 |
- |
- |
— |
| 1962 |
"Sweet Thursday" |
99 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Marianna" |
86 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Gina" |
6 |
2 |
- |
— |
| 1963 |
"What Will Mary Say" |
9 |
3 |
21 |
49 |
| "Every Step of the Way" |
30 |
10 |
- |
— |
| "Sooner or Later" |
84 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Come Back" |
61 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Your Teenage Dreams" |
68 |
19 |
- |
— |
| "I'll Search My Heart" |
90 |
- |
- |
— |
| 1964 |
"Bye Bye Barbara" |
53 |
17 |
- |
- |
| "The Fall of Love" |
120 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Taste of Tears" |
87 |
- |
- |
— |
| "Listen Lonely Girl" |
62 |
11 |
- |
— |
| 1965 |
"Take the Time" |
104 |
32 |
- |
— |
| "Sweetheart Tree" |
108 |
21 |
- |
— |
| "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" |
98 |
6 |
- |
— |
| 1966 |
"So Nice (Samba de Verao)" |
- |
17 |
- |
— |
| 1967 |
"Two Tickets and a Candy Heart" |
- |
38 |
- |
- |
| "Don't Talk To Me" |
- |
21 |
- |
- |
| "Misty Roses" |
- |
40 |
- |
- |
| 1968 |
"Venus" |
111 |
23 |
- |
— |
| "You Make Me Think About You" |
- |
35 |
- |
— |
| 1969 |
"The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" |
- |
39 |
- |
— |
| "I'll Never Fall In Love Again" |
- |
35 |
- |
— |
| "Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet (A Time For Us)" |
96 |
8 |
- |
— |
| "Midnight Cowboy" |
- |
20 |
- |
— |
| 1970 |
"Odds and Ends" |
- |
30 |
- |
— |
| "Wherefore and Why" |
- |
17 |
- |
— |
| "Pieces of Dreams" |
- |
9 |
- |
— |
| "Evil Ways" |
- |
30 |
- |
— |
| 1971 |
"Ten Times Forever More" |
- |
32 |
- |
- |
| 1972 |
"Make It Easy On Yourself" |
103 |
16 |
- |
- |
| "Soul and Inspiration/For Once In My Life" |
- |
37 |
- |
- |
| 1973 |
"Take Good Care of Her" |
- |
40 |
- |
- |
| "Show and Tell" |
- |
36 |
- |
- |
| "I'm Coming Home" |
75 |
1 |
92 |
- |
| "Life Is a Song Worth Singing" |
54 |
8 |
65 |
— |
| 1974 |
"Sweet Child" |
- |
35 |
- |
- |
| 1975 |
"Sail On White Moon" |
- |
39 |
- |
- |
| "I'm Stone In Love With You" |
- |
16 |
- |
10 |
| "Stardust" |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
| 1976 |
"One Day In Your Life" |
- |
36 |
- |
- |
| "Yellow Roses On Her Gown" |
- |
44 |
- |
- |
| "Do Me Wrong, But Do Me" |
- |
25 |
- |
- |
| "When a Child Is Born" |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
| 1977 |
"Loving You-Losing You" |
- |
29 |
- |
- |
| "Arianne" |
- |
24 |
- |
- |
| 1978 |
"Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" ** |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
| "You're All I Need To Get By" ** |
47 |
16 |
10 |
45 |
| 1979 |
"The Last Time I Felt Like This" *** |
- |
15 |
- |
- |
| "Begin the Beguine" |
- |
37 |
- |
- |
| "Gone, Gone, Gone" |
- |
- |
- |
15 |
| 1980 |
"Different Kinda Different" # |
- |
- |
81 |
- |
| 1982 |
"Friends In Love" ## |
38 |
5 |
22 |
— |
| 1984 |
"Love Won't Let Me Wait" ** |
106 |
14 |
32 |
— |
| "Simple" |
81 |
6 |
43 |
— |
| 1985 |
"Right From the Heart" |
- |
38 |
- |
- |
| 1988 |
"I'm On the Outside Looking In" |
- |
27 |
- |
- |
| 1992 |
"Better Together" ### |
- |
- |
68 |
- |
| 2003 |
"Frosty the Snowman "Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass County Boys in 1950. It was written after the success of Autry's recording of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" the previous year; Rollins and Nelson shipped the...
" |
- |
29 |
- |
- |
NB. Duet partners: * -
Gladys KnightGladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, ** -
Deniece WilliamsJune Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s...
, *** -
Jane OlivorJane Olivor is an American cabaret singer. She was initially compared, often favorably, to Barbra Streisand and Édith Piaf.-Background:...
, # - Paulette, ## -
Dionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
, ### -
Regina BelleRegina Belle is a singer-songwriter who first surfaced in the late 1980s. She is notable for her Grammy award winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World".-Biography:Regina Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey...
Albums
- Johnny Mathis
Johnny Mathis is the debut studio album by vocalist Johnny Mathis. Issued by Columbia records in 1956, this album was only released in Mono. In the UK the album was issued by Fontana Records, with alternative artwork and a differing track listing. Both versions have been re-issued on CD, the US...
Columbia CL-887 1956
- Wonderful, Wonderful
Wonderful Wonderful is the second studio album by Johnny Mathis released in 1957 on the Columbia Record label, in stereo and monoaural.The album was issued in the UK by Fontana Records with alternative artwork...
Columbia CL-1028 (Gold) 1957
- Warm
Warm is the third studio album by vocalist Johnny Mathis released in 1958 on the Columbia Record label, in stereo and monoaural. The album was issued in the UK by Fontana Records...
Columbia CL-1078/CS-8039 (Gold) 1957
- Good Night, Dear Lord
-Overview:The album is a deeply felt collection of religious songs sung with proper reverence by the 22 year old singer. The album is noteworthy for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is unlike any of Mathis' other studio albums in that it is made up solely of religious music...
Columbia 1958
- Johnny's Greatest Hits
Johnny's Greatest Hits is the fifth album release by vocalist Johnny Mathis and the first compilation of his hit singles released by Columbia Records in 1958...
Columbia CL-1133 (Multi-Platinum) 1958
- Swing Softly
Swing Softly is the sixth album released by Johnny Mathis. It was his fifth original studio album .-Overview:...
Columbia CL-1165/CS-8023 (Gold), #10 UK Pop Albums 1958
- Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas is the seventh album and first Christmas album by singer Johnny Mathis. Released in 1958 by Columbia Records , it was also the sixth original studio album by the singer....
Columbia CL-1195/CS-8021 (Multi-Platinum) 1958
- Open Fire, Two Guitars
Open Fire, Two Guitars is the eighth album released by legendary singer Johnny Mathis. Of his recordings, it is his seventh original studio album -Overview:...
Columbia CL-1270/CS-8056 (Gold) 1959
- More Johnny's Greatest Hits
More Johnny's Greatest Hits is the ninth album released by vocalist Johnny Mathis. It the second compilation of hit singles released by the singer.-Track listing:#"Small World" - 3:21#"Someone" - 2:58#"Very Much In Love" - 2:48...
Columbia CL-1344/CS-8150 (Gold) 1959
- Heavenly
Heavenly is the tenth album released by vocalist Johnny Mathis. It is the eighth original studio album recorded by the singer -Overview:This album, arranged and conducted by Glenn Osser, is the epitome of the successful album formula that had...
Columbia CL-1354/CS-8152 (Multi-Platinum) 1959
- Faithfully
Faithfully is the eleventh album released by Johnny Mathis. It is the ninth original studio album recorded by the singer -Overview:Like its direct predecessor, this album continues the successful Mathis album formula developed by the singer with...
Columbia CS-8219 (Gold) 1959
- The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway
The Rhythms and Ballads of Broadway is the twelfth album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It is the tenth original studio album recorded by the singer Originally released in 1960 as a two lp set, it was also released as two single lp's as "The...
Columbia #6 UK Pop Albums 1960
- Johnny's Mood
Johnny's Mood is the thirteenth album released by traditional pop vocalist Johnny Mathis. It is the eleventh original studio album recorded by the singer -Overview:Continuing with the winning formula of recording lush, romantic ballads, the album was...
Columbia 1960
- I'll Buy You A Star
I'll Buy You A Star is the fourteenth album released by traditional pop vocalist Johnny Mathis. It is the twelfth original studio album recorded by the singer -Overview:This album is the first of two album collaborations with legendary arranger and...
#18 UK Pop Albums Columbia 1961
- Portrait Of Johnny
Portrait Of Johnny is the fifteenth album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It the third compilation of hit singles released by the singer.-Track listing:#"Starbright"#"While You're Young"#"Should I Wait "#"All Is Well"...
Columbia 1961
- Live It Up!
Live It Up! is the sixteenth album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his thirteenth original studio album with three compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point.-Overview:...
Columbia 1962
- Rapture
Rapture is the seventeenth album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his fourteenth original studio album with three compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point.-Overview:...
Columbia 1962
- Johnny's Newest Hits
Johnny's Newest Hits is the eighteenth album released by Johnny Mathis. It was the fourth compilation of hit singles released by the singer.-Track listing:#"What Will My Mary Say"#"Gina"#"Unaccustomed as I Am"#"Sweet Thursday"#"There You Are"...
Columbia 1963
- Johnny
Johnny is the nineteenth album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his fifteenth original studio album with four compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point.-Overview:...
Columbia 1963
- Romantically
Romantically is the twentieth album released by traditional pop vocalist Johnny Mathis. It was his sixteenth original studio album with four compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer at this point. It is also the final original studio album recorded by the singer for Columbia...
Columbia CS 8898, CL 2098 1963
- Sounds of Christmas
Sounds of Christmas is the twenty first album released by vocalist Johnny Mathis. It was his seventeenth original studio album with four compilations of hit singles having been released by the singer to this point...
Mercury 1963
- I'll Search My Heart and Other Great Hits
I'll Search My Heart and Other Great Hits is the twenty second album released by legendary singer Johnny Mathis. It was the fifth compilation of hit singles released by the singer from his first Columbia Records period, 1956-1963.-Track listing:...
Columbia CS-8943
- The Great Years
The Great Years is the twenty third album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It is a two LP retrospective of the singer's work from his first Columbia Records period, 1956-1963.-Track listing:...
Columbia 1964
- Tender Is The Night
Tender Is The Night is the eighteenth original studio album released by traditional pop vocalist Johnny Mathis and his second album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury 1964
- The Wonderful World of Make Believe
The Wonderful World of Make Believe is the nineteenth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his third album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury 1964
- This Is Love
This Is Love is the twentieth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his fourth album for Mercury Records.-Overview:Very much in the mould of his earlier work for Columbia Records, this album is once again a collection of lushly orchestrated ballads...
Mercury MG 20942/SR 60942 1964
- Olé
Olé is the twenty first original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his fifth album for Mercury Records.-Overview:Of the many studio albums of Johnny Mathis, this is undoubtedly his most unusual, a collection of Latin American songs sung in the original languages...
Mercury 1965
- Love Is Everything
Love Is Everything is the twenty second original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his sixth album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury 1965
- The Sweetheart Tree
The Sweetheart Tree is the twenty third original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his seventh album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury SR 61041/MG 21041 1965
- The Shadow of Your Smile
The Shadow Of Your Smile is the twenty fourth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis and his eighth album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury 1966
- So Nice
So Nice is the twenty-fifth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his ninth album for Mercury Records.-Overview:...
Mercury 1966
- Johnny Mathis Sings
Johnny Mathis Sings is the twenty sixth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his tenth and final album for Mercury Records...
Mercury SR-61107 1967
- Up, Up And Away
Up, Up And Away is the twenty seventh original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his first album upon returning to Columbia Records after a four year sojourn with Mercury Records...
Columbia 1967
- Love is Blue
Love Is Blue is the twenty eighth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his second album upon returning to Columbia Records after a four year sojourn with Mercury Records...
Columbia CS-9637 1968
- Those Were The Days
Those Were The Days is the twenty-ninth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his third album upon returning to Columbia Records after a four-year sojourn with Mercury Records...
Columbia CS 9705 1968
- People
People is a 1969 compilation album released by singer Johnny Mathis on Columbia Records.-Overview:Mathis spent four years recording for Mercury Records producing 10 studio albums. Under the terms of his contract with the label, Mathis owned the masters of his recordings...
Columbia 1969
- The Impossible Dream
The Impossible Dream is a 1969 compilation album released by singer Johnny Mathis on Columbia Records.-Overview:Mathis spent four years recording for Mercury Records producing 10 studio albums. Under the terms of his contract with the label, Mathis owned the masters of his recordings...
Columbia 1969
- Love Theme From "Romeo And Juliet" (A Time For Us)
Love Theme From "Romeo And Juliet" is the thirtieth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis. It was his fourth original studio album for Columbia Records during his second period with the label which began in 1967.-Overview:...
Columbia 1969
- Give Me Your Love For Christmas
Give Me Your Love for Christmas is the thirty first original studio album released by vocalist Johnny Mathis and his third album devoted to holiday music.-Overview:...
Columbia 1969
- Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head is the thirty second original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis.-Overview:This album is representative of Mathis' pop albums of the period. Around this time, Mathis was recording cover versions of contemporary song hits combined with popular film...
#23 UK Pop Albums 1970
- Close To You
Close To You is the thirty-third original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis.-Overview:Once again combining film songs with covers of recent hits, Mathis is heard on this album under the musical direction of Ernie Freeman...
Columbia 1970
- Sings the Music of Bacharach & Kaempfert
Sings the Music of Bacharach & Kaempfert is the thirty fourth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis in the United States.-Overview:...
1970
- Love Story
Love Story is the thirty fifth original studio album released by singer Johnny Mathis.-Overview:This is an adult contemporary/pop album that features Mathis performing cover versions of recent hit songs and film theme songs. Musical direction is provided by Perry Botkin, Jr...
#27 UK Pop Albums 1971
- You've Got A Friend Columbia 1971
- In Person - Recorded Live At Las Vegas Columbia 1972
- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face #40 UK Pop Albums 1972
- Johnny Mathis' All-Time Greatest Hits 1972
- Song Sung Blue 1972
- This Guy's In Love With You Harmony 1972
- Christmas With Johnny Mathis Columbia 1972
- Me And Mrs. Jones 1973
- Killing Me Softly 1973
- I'm Coming Home Columbia #18 UK Pop Albums 1973
- The Heart Of A Woman #39 UK Pop Albums 1974
- What'll I Do 1974
- When Will I See You Again #13 UK Pop Albums 1975
- Feelings 1975 (Platinum)
- Heavenly And Faithfully Columbia 1975
- I Only Have Eyes For You #14 UK Pop Albums 1976
- Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me 1977
- The Johnny Mathis Collection" #1 UK Pop Albums 1977
- Sweet Surrender" Pop Albums 1977
- Mathis Is 1977
- Johnny's Greatest Hits 1977
- You Light Up My Life (Platinum), #3 UK Pop Albums 1978
- That's What Friends Are For #16 UK Pop Albums 1978
- The Best Days Of My Life#38 UK Pop Albums 1979
- Mathis Magic #59 UK Pop Albums 1979
- Tears and Laughter #1 UK Pop Albums 1980
- All For You #20 UK Pop Albums 1980
- Different Kinda Different 1980
- The Best Of Johnny Mathis (1975–1980) 1980
- Celebration #9 UK Pop Albums 1981
- The First 25 Years: Silver Anniversary Album 1981
- Friends In Love #34 UK Pop Albums 1982
- Unforgettable #5 UK Pop Albums 1983
- A Special Part Of Me #45 UK Pop Albums 1984
- For Christmas 1984
- Johnny Mathis Live 1985
- Right From the Heart 1985
- Hollywood Musicals #46 UK Pop Albums 1986
- Christmas Eve With Johnny Mathis 1986
- Once In A While 1988
- Love Songs 1988
- In the Still Of the Night 1989
- In A Sentimental Mood: Mathis Sings Ellington 1990
- Better Together: The Duet Album 1991
- How Do You Keep the Music Playing 1993
- The Hits of Johnny Mathis 1995
- All About Love 1996
- Because You Loved Me: Songs of Diane Warren 1998
- Mathis On Broadway 2000
- The Christmas Album 2002
- Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album 2005
- The Very Best Of Johnny Mathis #6 UK Pop Albums 2006
- A Night To Remember #29 UK Pop Albums 2008
- Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville
Let It Be Me: Mathis in Nashville is an album by Johnny Mathis, released through Columbia Records on September 21, 2010. The album earned Mathis a Grammy Award nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.-Track listing:...
Release September 2010
Million sellers
Mathis' million selling discs include the singles "Wonderful Wonderful", "It's Not For Me To Say", "Chances Are" (over two million), "Misty" (over two million), "When A Child Is Born" and "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late" (over five million). His million selling albums include Johnny's Greatest Hits (approaching five million), Merry Christmas (approximately six million), Heavenly (over two million), Give Me Your Love For Christmas, All Time Greatest Hits (over two million) and You Light Up My Life (also over two million).
External links