Johnny Mathis will retire from touring after May 2025 due to health reasons. The legendary singer announced his retirement last week, having built a successful career spanning over seven decades. This significant step will mark the end of an era for the singer.
Despite the emotional weight of the announcement, Mathis was recently spotted in Los Angeles, looking cheerful and stylish as ever. The soon-to-be 90-year-old, who has six platinum albums to his name, was all smiles as he made his way to a meeting last Friday, with fans continuing to admire him.
Johnny Mathis’ health issues
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Johnny Mathis is taking a step back from touring after 70 years of his music career. Last Wednesday, he revealed that age and memory issues were affecting his ability to continue performing at the level his fans have come to expect. Known for his romantic ballads, fans have long adored Mathis, with many expressing their sadness at his decision while offering their support.
Yet, despite his health struggles, Mathis’ love for music remains. When asked about his plans after retirement, the legendary singer said that was not the end, reassuring fans that his passion for music was far from waning. Mathis’ team later confirmed that while his final concert will take place on May 18 in Englewood, New Jersey, new music may still be in the works. However, all of Mathis’ concerts from June 2025 have been canceled officially by his team. This announcement was met with an outpouring of love and well-wishes, and his team expressed gratitude to fans for their support, hinting that Mathis is still open to recording new music.
A career of seven decades
Johnny Mathis’ father first recognized his son’s talent and secured him voice lessons with teacher Connie Cox in exchange for household work. Under her guidance, Mathis honed his skills for six years before launching his career.
Mathis was discovered at the Black Hawk Club in San Francisco, where he performed with a jazz sextet. Over the decades, he became known for his romantic ballads but also explored genres such as pop, Latin, soul, R&B, and even disco in the 1970s.