Music Musings: Johnny Mathis

There is no singer in music today quite like Johnny Mathis.  Born in Texas and raised on the West Coast, his golden Baritone voice has rang across popular music for nearly six decades.  With 350 million records sold across the world, Mathis is one of the most successful singers of the 21st century.  Perhaps best known as a balladeer from early hits like Chances Are and It’s Not For Me To Say,  this versatile artist has performed everything from Jazz and R&B to Country and Disco music.

As a teenager, he studied opera and classical voice, which is easy to tell given his long, prosperous career and consistently healthy vocal technique.  In an era where so many young artists wear out their voice and are forced to endure costly and risky voice surgery, Johnny Mathis is a great example how proper training can last a lifetime.  He maintains a robust tour schedule even today!!

Here is the original of Johnny singing his hit song Misty, recorded in 1958…

And here he is singing the same song live, in 2014…

Indeed, Johnny Mathis is a true original.  Make sure to see this great artist if he comes to your area.

 

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(photo credit: fanart.tv