Is Johnny Mathis Still Alive or Dead?

John Royce Mathis is an American singer and prolific songwriter. He is the third biggest selling artist of the 20th century after Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

Johnny was born on September 30, 1935, in Texas. His father was a pianist, and when he saw the talent in his son, he encouraged him to pursue music. At 13, a voice teacher took interest in him and taught him classical and operatic singing for six years.

Johnny got his break when he was signed by Columbia Records.

In 1957, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for his song “Wild Is the Wind”.

In 1958, he released Johnny’s Greatest Hits, which was on top Billboard 200 for nine consecutive years; by the end of 1958, Mathis was making $1 million a year from his velvety smooth voice.

Fig 1. Mathis with Colin Powell.