JOHNNY MATHIS

[Terence Lee]

For Mariana, I hope you like this interview.

Johnny Mathis: A Born Crooner

by Richard Ouzounian
Toronto Star, August 22, 2009

"Chances Are" that when you think of Johnny Mathis coming to sing at Casino Rama Thursday and Friday, you'll start out by getting "Misty" and wind up feeling "Wonderful, Wonderful."

For more than half a century, Mathis has been providing a devoted public with what he does so well: pouring out that woodsmoke and honey voice of his until anyone with a heart is bound to melt.

"Music has been the thing that propels my life," he begins, speaking over the phone from his California home. "I'm thankful for the gifts that I've been given and for the parents who encouraged me from the start."

John Royce Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas, on Sept. 30, 1935. His parents, Clem and Mildred, moved to San Francisco when he was very young and supported themselves by working at a variety of domestic jobs.

But Clem, a gifted singer in his own right, had other dreams that he never got to fulfill.

"Pop was a wonderful entertainer, a self-taught pianist and an amazing vocalist," recalls Mathis with evident fondness. "He taught me all the songs that he knew once I got to the age of 5. All my earliest recordings were tunes that he had helped me learn years before.

"He sang constantly, when we were out fishing and hunting on the weekends. I still remember how, when he got off work, as soon as he walked in the door, with his work clothes still on, he'd sit down at the piano and unwind for a bit."

It took Mathis years to realize it, but "I finally came to understand that Pop was helping me to get the career he couldn't have. He got married when he was 17 and mom was 15. Then the kids started coming -- all seven of us -- and he had to worry about putting bread on the table, not a song in his heart.

"He got me a teacher right away, as soon as it became obvious I could sing, and he encouraged me on every step of my journey."

Mathis pauses and continues a bit wistfully. "You know, as I've gotten older, I realize that our voices are similar, absolutely. Every time I open my mouth today, I say, 'God, I sound just like Pop!'"

The teacher that began instructing Mathis at the age of 13 was a classically trained woman named Connie Cox, who would give the young singer lessons in exchange for his doing a series of odd jobs around her house. "I thank her every day for those six years we spent together," says Mathis. "She taught me how to protect my voice and not abuse it. That's the major reason I've been able to keep going for so long, taking advantage of all the hills and valleys in this profession."

Mathis has nothing but happy memories of his early years, and he thinks that the place he was raised had a lot to do with it.

"Growing up in San Francisco was the best thing that ever happened to me. That society was so hip, so accepting of all kinds of people, that I was never really all that aware of my blackness. It certainly wasn't anything that ever got in my way."

Besides working on his singing, Mathis was a star athlete in high school, excelling in basketball as well as track and field. In fact, when he entered San Francisco State University on a scholarship in September, 1954, he was determined to become a physical education teacher.

"But then fate kind of hit me over the head with some ideas of its own," Mathis laughs. "There was this lady named Helen Noga who was a partner in this jazz club called The Black Hawk. She heard me sing and decided she was going to promote me.

"The next thing I knew, I was singing with all the great musicians who passed through her club: Miles Davis, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie."

One of the people who dropped by The Black Hawk and heard Mathis sing was a jazz producer for Columbia Records named George Avakian.

"He liked my voice, but felt I needed some more experience and told me he'd be in touch again in about a year."

Mathis forgot all about that and promptly picked up the threads of his athletic career, advancing to the point where he was about to try out for the 1956 Olympics. "And that week, Avakian called me and asked me to come to New York and make some recordings," remembers Mathis. It may have seemed like a big decision for a 19-year-old guy to make: The U.S. Olympic Team, or Columbia Records. But Mathis admits, "I never had a moment of doubt.

"Music won out and even though I wasn't quite sure I was good enough, Pop thought I could make something of myself and told me to go for it."

It took Columbia a while to figure out how to use Mathis, because, as he admits, "I was a typical 19-year-old and sang every note as high and as loudly as I could."

But they sent him out on the road to get some seasoning and Mathis describes that period as "hard work, very lonely. One club on Long Island, I actually manipulated the lights with my feet and conducted the band behind me with one hand."By late 1956, Mathis had two big hits -- "Wonderful, Wonderful" and "It's Not For Me To Say" -- which started him off on a road he's never left.

Mathis has always kept his personal life private, and when US Magazine quoted him in 1982 as admitting his homosexuality, the publication later had to retract the statement.

But now, Mathis opens up more and admits that it wasn't the nature of his sexuality, but the whole concept of revealing it that troubled him. "It's always a struggle for a celebrity. They want to know everything about you, especially who you go to bed with. I've always been reticent and shy because Mom and Pop told me you just didn't discuss things like that.

"But times go on, there are different mores and things change. Once people get to know you, they're willing to be a lot more accepting."

Over the years, Mathis has known some tough times and, by his own admission, has been through rehab for both alcohol and prescription medication addictions, but can now say, "I'm happy with the way things turned out."

Asked if he thinks there's any secret to his amazing career, he recalls the time he asked his father the same question.

"'Johnny,' Pop told me, 'people just like to hear you sing.'"

Five Faves: Singers Who Shaped Johnny Mathis's Style

Nat King Cole

"He's been my hero for as long as I can remember. His genius was in his musicianship. He was a great piano player as well as a unique vocalist."

Lena Horne

"She had the most amazing sense of style. I can still hear her singing 'Day In, Day Out,' with a restraint that showed nothing, but said everything."

Billy Eckstine

"I admired the quality of his voice, so deep, so resonant. I wanted to sound like him, I thought it was the most virile sound in the world."

Peggy Lee

"She taught me the importance of having respect for all the music you did. That's one lady who hit all the right notes and not just the ones on the page."

Sarah Vaughan

"There was an amazing depth in her singing. At first, it just seems beautiful, but after a while, you sense the emotional qualities underneath."

[mariana44]

Thanks Terence-a great interview.

I have a friend who is flying tomorrow to Ontario to see JM in concert--she has promised to let me know how it all went.

[Terence Lee]

Mariana, here's the photo to go with the interview. Have you seen it?
Is it a recent one?

[mariana44]

Hi Terence, yes I have seen this photo--it was taken probably about a year ago, to coincide with his latest cd release "A night to remember".

Just had the official letter to say that the British Johnny Mathis fan club was closing down--which means there are no official Johnny Mathis fan clubs anywhere--but this is apparently what his management wants.

[ROBERT M.]

Can't see any grey hairs in the photo................ JM must use Grecian 2000

[Terence Lee]

You are so witty Robert......I can't stop laughing!

[mariana44]

I do not know about that Robert---But i do know that he is looking good, and singing great--at 73 years old.

[Gray]

We have just returned from a lovely weekend break in Northumberland, had a marvelous time, and found in a second hand shop the sheet music to A Certain Smile.

I would murder it, but I look forward to the day when a pianist visits us (anyone will do!) and they can play it for me

[Terence Lee]

Mariana, have you read this interview?

Spilling the Beans with... Johnny Mathis

by MaryEllen Fillo
Hartford Courant, September 22, 2009

Singer Johnny Mathis is best known as the mellow-voiced crooner whose romantic tunes like "Wonderful, Wonderful," "Misty" and "It's Not For Me To Say" have become timeless love songs. Singing for more than 50 years, Mathis, who first appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956, will perform at Waterbury's Palace Theater on Thursday, when he will kick off the theater's Fifth Anniversary Gala Season. An accomplished athlete who chose to follow a singing career instead, Mathis, who turns 74 on Sept. 30, is still recording and performing. An avid golfer, he was at home in California when he "Spilled the Beans" with Java, before heading off to the links for a quick 18.

Q: Fifty years in the business. Do you ever look in the mirror and say "Man, what a ride," or have you been singing for so long it is just a job?

A: It has never been just a job. I mean it is and can be. The job part is really the traveling. It used to be kind of glamorous, flying here and there.... The singing part, it has always been fun.

Q: What do you sing in the shower?

A: I don't. The only time I sing when I am not on stage is when I am golfing. I golf regularly with a friend who is a doctor and an encyclopedia of American music. We have a contest along the course on who can remember the lyrics to more songs.

Q: Do you mind being stereotyped as a "romance" singer, since all of your songs are about love, well, except maybe "The Christmas Song?"

A: I liked the sounds of romantic music. As far as categories, being a romantic is not so bad.

Q: But you are ready to diversify a bit. Is it true you are doing a country/western CD next?

A: I am. My dad was the reason I started to sing. He was a singer, too. He loved cowboy music, and it was a big part of his musicology, and he taught it to me. And if you listen to a lot of the lyrics, they are beautiful

Q: You have a birthday coming up. What are you doing to celebrate?

A: I'm trying to forget about it. Turning 35 bothered me, but after that, not so much. Although it is kind of traumatic that these birthdays come up sooner and sooner. I do make myself a cake. My favorite is coconut and pineapple.

Q: You were an accomplished athlete who could have chosen that as a career. Any regrets?

A: Actually, Bill Russell and I grew up together, and I watched his career as an athlete. We compare backaches and knee problems. I think I got out of athletics in time to save my body.

Q: You had your own struggle with alcoholism and prescription drugs as your career took off. How did you get past it?

A: I think it all depends on the support you have. Good support at home and having people who really care about you has an awful lot to do with it. I had such good people around me who over the years saved my life and career.

Q: Who is your favorite person you have performed with, and who would you still like to perform with?

A: Henry Mancini was my favorite. And I would love to technically record with the late Nat "King" Cole. He was my great hero and icon.

Q: What is something no one knows about you?

A: I can't swim. I have a pool in my backyard and can't swim.

Q: If you were a song, which song would it be?

A: "Almost Like Being in Love."

Q: What is the secret of your success?

A: According to my guitar player, who has been with me almost 40 years, people like the sound of my voice. I think most of my success has come from taking advantage of the situations that have come along.

[mariana44]

No Terence, I have not----thank you for posting it.

I was interested in him saying he is recording a country cd--at the moment, I am finding it very hard to imagine, as I cannot remember him singing a country song before !!

His guitar player-called Gil Reigers is so talented, and he has appeared at every concert that I have ever seen, since 1980.

At one point in every show, they do a section of singing 2 or 3 songs, with just the guitar as accompaniment-songs like 12th of never, 99 miles from LA----and I can tell you, you could hear a pin drop !!

[Terence Lee]

Hi Mariana

Has Johnny ever recorded "For The Good Times" or "Help Me Make It Through The Night"?

Maybe these 2 songs can be considered country?

[mariana44]

He has recorded "Help me make it through the night"---and "Little green apples" which I suppose is a bit countryish--but not "For the good times."

[jon]

Wow! Never thought I'd fnd myself correcting Marian over a Johnny Mathis fact. JM DID record "For The Good Times" - it's on his 1971 album, "Love Story". Marian, it must be a long time since you've listened to it!

[mariana44]

I am suitable chastised!!--~I agree it is a long time since I listened to it-I tend to just put my favourites on Itunes, and only listen to them-but I really should have known.

But I thought of one that could be classed as "country style"--a really nice recording which I love "By the time I get to Phoenix" !!

[mariana44]

And also "Elusive Butterfly"--I guess I made a big mistake earlier, saying I could not imagine JM singing country.

Do you know-I would love to hear him sing "The greatest Man I never knew"---Reba McEntire sings it, and it is just so lovely--Michael Ball covered it, which was nice, but i think it wouldcreally suit JM.

TO anyone who has not heard this song--check it out--somehow !!!