As a 19-year-old, Johnny Mathis had to make a big career decision—try out for the U.S. Olympic team as a high jumper to participate in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics or start his music career. He’d found a gig in a San Francisco jazz club, where George Avakian from Columbia Records discovered him. His urgent telegram to his bosses urged them to send blank contracts. He may have discovered a singer who could go all the way. Luckily for music fans, Mathis chose singing over high jumping. Now in his seventh decade of a successful career Mathis is one of music’s best-selling living artists, with more than 350 million albums sold.
On July 31, he brings his standards to Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, singing some of his favorites along with his greatest hits, such as romantic ballads “Chances Are” and “Misty” or “Wonderful! Wonderful!” and “It’s Not for Me To Say” that kept him on Billboard’s top 40 chart for 178 weeks beginning in 1958. He could entertain with his movie theme hits such as “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born),” “(Where Do I Begin) Love Story” (from Love Story) or “Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet.” All celebrate his 59 years as an artist who was a much a part of the baby boomer generation as Frank Sinatra.
And don’t worry about Mathis’ long-lost high jumping career. The crooner still golfs to stay athletic.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 7:30 p.m. July 31, $29-$175 plus tax and fee. 702.749.2000
