Johnny Mathis retires

[gvopedz]

Mathis was once the record holder for the album with the most weeks spent on the US chart: his compilation Johnny’s Greatest Hits, which was on the chart for 490 weeks between 1958 and 1968. 

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/27/johnny-mathis-89-retires-from-performing-age-memory-issues

 

[felser]

Loved his 1950's/early 1960's work, liked his mid 1960's through mid-1970's work.  An all-time great.  I own the big Columbia box, even though I rarely go for that sort of thing.  I included his "Maria" on my 2023 BFT just out of musical awe, rather than trying to fool anyone.

 

Edited March 27 by felser

[JSngry]

 

[medjuck]

I was a big fan as a kid.  ( I'm surprised he's only 7 years older than me.)  Now I only have his first Lp because of the Gil Evans arrangements.

[jazzbo]

I have that one and this one:

 

I like this one a lot. I've had some others. . . but haven't kept them. I'll try more in time.

[sgcim]

Gil Evans did the arrangements on his first album! He also used to bring the guitarist Buddy Fite on the road with him, until Buddy got too scared of flying.

Arthur Lee said he modeled his singing after Johnny's.

[GA Russell]

I hope he is in good health.  I remember when Fred Gwynn and Al Jarreau announced their retirements, they both died a week later.

[felser]

3 hours ago, GA Russell said:

I hope he is in good health.  I remember when Fred Gwynn and Al Jarreau announced their retirements, they both died a week later.

Similar with Richie Havens.