Johnny Mathis is retiring from live performance at age 89, due to “age and memory issues, which have accelerated,” his Facebook account announced Wednesday.
The declaration said that Mathis would still a handful of upcoming dates, with his final concert now being scheduled for May 18 at the Bergan Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ. But “while there are still some exciting concerts coming up, regrettably all Johnny Mathis concerts from June 2025 onwards are now canceled,” it said.
Mathis has been one of the most enduring of all concert performers still on the road, having been an actively touring artist since he released his self-titled debut album in 1956.
“As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,” the statement said. “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 statement concluded, “Johnny Mathis and his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love and support of his music! It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’”
The announcement noted that some tickets remain on sale for the dates that have not been canceled, while refunds will be available at the point of purchase for all concerts set from June forward.
Mathis’ website lists just four dates left on Mathis’ tour schedule: April 10 in Shippensburg, Penn.; April 26 in Shipshewana, Indiana; May 10 in Santa Rosa, Calif.; and the aforementioned May 18 finale in New Jersey.
Mathis has been on the road recently and gotten good reviews for his performances, with critics indicating in passing that he was showing the effects of age but still wowed by his vocal prowess and charm.
Two weeks ago, Jon Bream of the Minneapolis Star Tribune had positive things to say about the singer’s most recent show, a March 8 appearance at the Mystic Lake Casino showroom in Prior Lake, calling it “the most beautifully romantic concert in a theater in recent memory. … Although he mentioned that he hadn’t sung in a while, you could have closed your eyes and imagined it was 1960-something. Mathis’ voice was remarkably pristine, a little richer with less quivering, fewer low notes and startling power. He often sang with the microphone away from his mouth — even down to his waist a couple of times — and his voice was strong, clear and ideally emotive.” He “earned a mid-show standing ovation from about 1,500 concertgoers” with his rendition of “Moon River,” Bream reported.
After Gary Mule Deer did an unusual mid-concert comedy set, Mathis returned and “lost his focus briefly during ‘Baubles, Bangles and Beads’ from the 1953 musical ‘Kismet’ but quickly recovered to seduce with the delicate ‘Secret Love’.” The critic noted that Mathis “mentioned he had a gimpy knee. Hunched over, the singer, who now looks like Lorne Greene’s kid brother with collarbone-length silver and rust hair, moved gingerly throughout his 75 minutes onstage. But we should all summon so much passion and purpose at age 89.”
