Johnny Mathis, the legendary crooner whose smooth tenor voice has captivated audiences for more than six decades, has lived a life filled with triumphs and struggles. Despite selling over 360 million records and earning his place among the greatest vocalists of all time, Mathis endured years of prejudice, professional obstacles, and personal battles. Now, at 89, he is finally ready to reveal the truth—the racist threats that forced him to dodge bullets on stage, the cruel nickname given to him by Frank Sinatra, and the addiction that nearly ended it all.

A Childhood of Music and Perseverance

Born on September 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas, Johnny Mathis was the fourth of seven children. His father, Clem Mathis, was an accomplished musician who played piano by ear and sang for pleasure. He recognized Johnny’s talent early on and made a life-changing investment—purchasing an upright piano for $25, despite the family’s financial struggles. The piano was too large to fit through the front door of their San Francisco apartment, so Clem took it apart and rebuilt it inside, demonstrating the depth of his belief in his son’s potential.

The family had moved to San Francisco when Johnny was still a child, settling in the Fillmore District, often referred to as the “Harlem of the West.” The neighborhood was alive with music and culture, shaping Johnny’s love for singing. By age eight, he was performing at church, school events, and family gatherings. His parents, recognizing his gift, even started a small fan club for him.

When Johnny was 13, he began formal voice lessons with Connie Cox, a renowned Bay Area vocal coach. The family couldn’t afford traditional lessons, so Johnny worked around her home in exchange for training. Over six years, he learned everything from vocal scales to classical techniques—training that built the foundation for his career as one of America’s most celebrated singers.

A Rising Star in Both Music and Sports

Although music was his passion, Mathis was also an exceptional athlete. At George Washington High School, he excelled in basketball and track and field. Later, he attended San Francisco State University on an athletic scholarship and set a high jump record of 6’5 ½”, just two inches shy of the Olympic record. Mathis was widely recognized as one of the best all-around athletes from the Bay Area, and some believed he had a future in sports.

However, his destiny lay elsewhere. While performing in local nightclubs, Mathis caught the attention of Helen Noga, the co-owner of The Blackhawk, a well-known jazz club. Noga was immediately drawn to his voice and became his manager, arranging a life-changing audition with Columbia Records executive George Avakian in 1955. Impressed by Mathis’s raw talent, Avakian sent a telegram to Columbia stating: “Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.” Later that year, Johnny Mathis signed his first recording contract.

Finding His Voice: From Jazz to Romantic Ballads

Mathis’s debut album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Song (1956), was jazz-oriented and featured arrangements by Gil Evans and Teo Macero. Despite Mathis’s unique vocal style, the album struggled commercially, as jazz was losing ground to rock and roll.

Recognizing this, Columbia Records producer Mitch Miller saw an opportunity to rebrand Mathis. Under Miller’s guidance, Mathis moved away from jazz and embraced romantic pop ballads. His second album, featuring Wonderful! Wonderful! and It’s Not for Me to Say, became a turning point. Released in early 1957, Wonderful! Wonderful! climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard charts, while It’s Not for Me to Say reached No. 5. Mathis’s effortless delivery, combined with lush orchestral arrangements, gave his music a timeless, cinematic quality.

The breakthrough moment came with Chances Are in mid-1957. The dreamy ballad became Mathis’s first No. 1 hit, cementing his reputation as a master of romantic music. By the end of the year, he had three Top 10 singles, proving that the decision to pivot to ballads was a masterstroke.

National Stardom and Breaking Racial Barriers

On June 16, 1957, Mathis performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, reaching millions of viewers and propelling him into national stardom. Unlike the high-energy rock and roll acts of the era, Mathis’s refined elegance connected with audiences who sought something more intimate and sophisticated.

His success paved the way for his groundbreaking album Johnny’s Greatest Hits (1958), the first album marketed as a greatest hits compilation. The album spent 490 weeks—nearly ten years—on the Billboard charts, a record that stood until The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd surpassed it in 1983. This success revolutionized the music industry, inspiring future artists like Elvis Presley and The Eagles to release greatest hits albums.

Facing Racism and Professional Challenges

Despite his meteoric rise, Mathis faced racism that threatened both his career and safety. In the segregated South, he was often banned from staying in the same hotels as his white bandmates, and some venues refused to let Black audiences in to see him perform. He also received death threats before performances, including one warning that he would be shot if he stepped on stage. Undeterred, Mathis performed anyway, constantly moving on stage to make himself a harder target.

Even within the music industry, he faced prejudice. Frank Sinatra, an artist Mathis admired, cruelly referred to him as “too soft”—a jab at his smooth, romantic style. However, Mathis refused to change who he was, and his unwavering dedication to his sound ultimately won over audiences across racial and generational lines.

The Battle with Addiction

Amidst his success, Mathis struggled with addiction. The pressures of fame, combined with personal struggles, led him down a dangerous path. For years, he battled substance abuse, nearly derailing his career. It wasn’t until he sought help and confronted his demons that he was able to regain control of his life. His resilience allowed him to continue recording and performing well into his later years.

The Voice of Christmas and Everlasting Legacy

Among his many accomplishments, Mathis became synonymous with the holiday season. His Merry Christmas album (1958), featuring Silent Night and Winter Wonderland, remains one of the most beloved holiday records of all time. Even today, his Christmas classics return to the charts every year, a testament to their enduring appeal.

Mathis’s influence spans generations. His songs have been featured in countless films, including Goodfellas and Zodiac, reintroducing his music to younger audiences. His rendition of Misty (1959) became a timeless classic, earning a place in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

A Legend Who Refused to Be Silenced

At 89, Johnny Mathis stands as one of the last living legends of the golden age of music. His journey from a struggling young singer to an international icon is a story of perseverance, talent, and resilience. Despite the racism, industry obstacles, and personal battles, Mathis never let anyone silence him.

His voice, rich with emotion and timeless in its elegance, continues to inspire. And as long as love songs and Christmas music fill the air, Johnny Mathis’s legacy will remain unshakable.