Johnny Mathis: Wonderful! Wonderful! at Lehman College

As a child growing up on a farm in upstate New York there wasn't much to do in terms of entertainment. We watched television which consisted of one channel and listened to the record player. My mother was a fan of Hawaiian Music and Johnny Mathis. I grew up listening to the tunes of Johnny Mathis and there was no mistaking his unique voice and incomparable phrasing when he stepped out on the Bronx stage of Lehman Center for the Performing Arts at Lehman College. It was Johnny alright, dressed impeccably in an open collared white shirt and slate colored suit.

Mathis presented a polished professional demeanor yet there was something shy about him. He seemed bashful as he stood humbly in front of his 28 piece orchestra consisting of harp, violins, piano, drums, guitars, horns, trumpets, saxophones, and bass. "Thank you for coming" he said quietly. So quietly the audience yelled 'Someone fix the mike'. "Thank you for coming," the romantic crooner reiterated, "Some of my songs may put you to sleep or to some of you out there, seem old fashioned," said Johnny to a crowd comprised of all ages. None who thought the legendary singer was old fashioned. Most of them already caught up in the 'Mathis Magic' acknowledging his status as the purveyor of romance.

Johnny picked up the mike and sang song after song. Songs like "Misty," "Wonderful! Wonderful!" "It's Not for Me to Say," "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," "The Days of Wine and Roses," and "Moon River," He sang songs by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. He warbled "Chances Are" and so many others. He even sang fast paced Brazilian and Spanish pieces.

At 72 years old, Mathis is ageless. In fact, he looks 25 years younger. It's as if time stopped having itself become enchanted by the timbre of Johnny's romantic vocals. There is something in his voice that suggests longing. It draws the listener into an esoteric vacuum, misty, dreamy, untouchable, simply magnificent, this, while allowing the crowd to escape into quixotic space. His music gives them permission to touch their deepest desires if only for a little while.

"I heard his music in Paris but I never thought I would see him perform in person," remarked my friend Mariette in her muted French accent. And, judging, from the sold out seats, neither did his adoring fans. "I cannot believe they really brought Johnny Mathis here. He looks wonderful!" stated the man sitting next to me. "When I Fall In Love, It Will Be Forever," sang the crooner. "You got our love! We will love you forever, too," screamed out the female audience members. "We love you!" was the refrain throughout the theatre. And, the popular American Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter showed his love right back.

Johnny Mathis was born in Gilmer Texas to Clem and Mildred Mathis. The family later moved to San Francisco, California. Mathis was the fourth child in seven children. No stranger to vaudeville, Johnny's father recognized his son's talent and bought him an upright piano. He encouraged his son to sing. At 13, Johnny was sent to study with a voice teacher. The teacher taught Mathis in exchange for chores around her home. The teenager learned vocal scales and exercises, received both operatic and classical training and learned voice production. Johnny went on to attend San Francisco State University on a scholarship. While at the university, Mathis broke future basketball great Bill Russell's high jump record by jumping 6 feet 5 inches. In fact, music wasn't Johnny's only love. Johnny was a promising athlete as well. "I'm nuts for golf these days" said the avid golfer who achieved five holes-in-one on the golf course and has hosted charity golf tournaments in Belfast since 1985. He has also hosted several Johnny Mathis Golf Tournaments in the United States as well as in Britain. Each year San Francisco State College holds the Annual Johnny Mathis Invitational Track and Field Meet which the school began in 1982 in honor of Mathis.

"I am going to change clothes," announced Johnny. "While I do, I have invited my golfing buddy Gary to entertain you. See you in 20 minutes or so" said Johnny who later returned in a light gray suit. "I went on the Aitkins diet and lost 14 days," joked Gary. "I used to eat at Denny's. There is truth in advertising because at Denny's the food is as good as it looks. Never mind the runny eggs and dried toast. Let's face it, the food is so bad there that the flies actually get together and patch the screen door."

"One of the ladies connected to the venue asked me had I ever sung in New York," chuckled the mirthful Johnny, giving the audience cause to giggle. "She's a sweet lady, I know she meant well. I think she meant to ask had I ever sung in the Bronx before. People remember a lot of things about New York, but I remember the first time I saw a Broadway show. It was the musical Kismet. I have been singing the music from that show ever since" said Johnny as he launched into "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads," and then "Stranger in Paradise" from the Broadway musical.

Although people often associate Mathis with Christmas music he has a huge repertoire which includes jazz, pop, Soul, R&B, Broadway tunes, blues, and country songs, soft rock, and even some disco numbers. Johnny has recorded over 110 albums and sold 350 million or more records worldwide.

Johnny Mathis's career has spanned six decades. In fact, Mathis was the first ever to release a Greatest Hits album into the music industry. His Greatest Hits remained on the Billboard Album Chart for an impressive 490 consecutive weeks earning him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. One of the riches entertainers in the world, Mathis gives few interviews preferring to remain in the bosom of loving friends and family.

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