Johnny Mathis Biography, Photos and Posters

Johnny Mathis

Biography

Born: September 30, 1935
City and Country of Origin: Gilmer, Texas
Music Training: His father who worked briefly as a musician was his music teacher; church choir; 6 years voice training with a local teacher Connie Cox
Awards: Grammy Hall of Fame two times; in 1998, he made the famous Hall's list with "Chances Are" (Columbia Traditional Pop Single 1957). In 2002 he made the list again with "Misty" (Columbia Traditional Pop single 1959); 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Top Recordings: “Wonderful, Wonderful,” “It’s Not For Me To Say” “Misty,” “Chances Are”
Johnny Mathis Biography: When he was still quite young his family moved to San Francisco. Johnny learned to sing from his father and as a teenager studed with a vocal teacher for several years. His talents were not limited to music. He was also a gifted athlete, competing at George Washington High School in the high jump, hurdles and on the basketball team.

In 1954 Mathis enrolled at San Francisco State College where he set the record with a high jump of 6'-5 1/2". He was often referred to as the best athlete to ever come out of the Bay Area. When a fellow student whose group was performing at the Black Hawk nightclub brought Johnny in for a jam session, Helen Noga, a co-owner of the club upon hearing him decided that she wanted to be his manager. Helen convinced George Avakian, head of Jazz A&R at Columbia Records to hear him. Avakian returned to New York and Johnny continued his studies and high jumping gaining an invite to the Olympic trials for the 1956 games in Melbourne, Australia. Unfortunately, the timing of the trials and Columbia's plans for his first recording session coincided. His first album a collection of traditional jazz favorites only experienced moderate succes. Meanwhile, Mathis stayed in New York working at popular night spots like The Village Vanguard, The Blue Angel and Basin Street East.

In the fall of '56 Columbia turned Mathis over to Mitch Miller who had him sing soft romantic ballads. Johnny recorded two songs “It’s Not For Me To Say” and “Wonderful, Wonderful” both songs became hits.

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