Singer Johnny Mathis announces retirement, cancels concerts due to age and memory issues

Legendary pop singer Johnny Mathis will soon unplug the microphone and take his final bow.Mathis, 89, revealed that he is retiring from live performances after touring the globe for seven decades citing accelerating “age and memory issues.”“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” a statement on the singer’s Facebook page said Wednesday.“So, it’s with sincere regret that due to Mr.

Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring and live concerts.”The “Misty” singer, known for his elegant vocals, initially planned to be on the road with his “2025 Voice of Romance Tour” until early November, but his team has canceled the final four planned dates.The five-time Grammy nominee’s last show is scheduled for May 18, 2025 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.The venue, which holds a capacity crowd of 1,367, announced the show is already sold out.

Tickets for Mathis’ farewell show are selling for at least $474 on third-party websites.“Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music!” the statement continued.

“It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’”Mathis’ fan club teased that new music is “potentially” in the works despite his touring schedule ending.The iconic pop and jazz vocalist was born on Sept.

30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas – a city over 100 miles east of Dallas – before his family relocated to San Francisco.Mathis balanced music and sports during his teenage years and faced a life-changing decision when an A&R executive at Columbia invited him to record in New York City on the same month he was invited to participate as a high jumper in the US Olympic team trials.The ballad king decided to record his 1956 album, “Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song,” but he didn’t see massive succ...