Portraits of Johnny Mathis
A photo album of the suave singer whose string of classic tunes stretches back more than six decades.
"Long Ago and Far Away"
John Royce Mathis was born in Texas, the fourth of seven children; his family moved to San Francisco when he was a small boy.
A star athlete, he dropped a shot at attending the Melbourne Olympics to pursue a singing career instead.
"It's Not for Me to Say"
His first, eponymous album, released in 1956, featured such standards as Cole Porter's "Easy to Love," "It Might as Well Be Spring," and "Angel Eyes."
"Life Is a Song Worth Singing"
The 1957 song "Wonderful! Wonderful!" was his first single to reach the Billboard charts, at No. 14.
"Chances Are," also released in 1957, was his first #1 hit.
"One Day In Your Life"
Beginning in June 1957, Mathis made several appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
"Right From the Heart"
His 1958 compilation album, "Johnny's Greatest Hits," was on the Billboard charts for nearly 10 years.
"A Certain Smile"
His 1958 Christmas album, "Merry Christmas," has sold more than 5 million copies.
"The Best of Everything"
Mathis would have more than 70 albums on the Billboard charts during his career, ranging from jazz, pop ballads and R&B to Broadway standards and Christmas music.
"Misty"
Johnny Mathis recording in 1962.
"The Shadow of Your Smile"
Three of his recordings - "Chances Are," "It's Not For Me to Say" and "Misty" - have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
"A Time For Us"
In the recording studio.
"Pieces of Dreams"
In the studio.
"Small World"
With Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
"Every Step of the Way"
In 2003 the Academy of Recording Arts and Science honored Mathis with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy.
Johnny Mathis
His latest album, produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, is a collection of contemporary classics, "Johnny Mathis Sings the Great New American Songbook," including "Happy," "I Believe I Can Fly" and "You Raise Me Up."
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