Legendary singer announces retirement due to ‘memory loss’ after 69 years of touring
He hasn't had a year off touring for almost seven decades.
Johnny Mathis has cancelled all his tours from June 2025 onwards due to his age and memory issues.
The US singer, 89 – who was one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century – announced on his official Facebook page that due to his age and ‘memory issues’ the rest of his shows would not be going ahead as planned.
‘As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,’ the post began, on the Gina hitmaker’s behalf.
It continued: ‘So, it is with sincere regret that due to Mr Mathis’ age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring & live concerts.’
The Grammy-winning singer is in the middle of his The Voice of Romance Tour, with dates onwards from June 2025 cancelled.
The heartfelt goodbye post was signed off with: ‘Johny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music! It’s truly been “Wonderful, Wonderful”.’
Johnny once said he will cherish memories of performing with the likes of Dionne Warwick the most (Picture: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)Johnny, who has a few shows left in Pennsylvania, Indiana and California, is scheduled to perform his final gig on May 18 at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey.
After floods of well wishes from fans, his official Facebook page confirmed that the final concerts will not, unfortunately, be filmed for the rest of his fans to enjoy.
While he is retiring from touring, Johnny will still be making music, the announcement said.
Fans also left their personal messages for Johnny, as Pamela Franklin said: ‘Always been my favorite singer since my Mom introduced his music to me when I was 2.
‘My husband and I have been married 55 years and OUR SONG since the first day is Johnny Mathis The Twelfth Of Never.’
He was one of the biggest crooners in the world, and has continued making music for decades (Picture: Paul Natkin/Getty Images)Richard Mitnick said: ‘This is very sad. We were fortunate to see him in Worcester several years ago. Truly a class man with a golden voice. Thank you for the endless joy you’ve blessed us with!’
Mathis’ representative Robert Scott told USA Today that his memory issues don’t impact his ‘day-to-day’ life but touring has taken a toll on his health.
‘His voice is still wonderful, and it’s a shame that he won’t be able to share that with his audiences after May 18,’ Scott said. ‘He knows deep down that it’s time to call it a day. He’s performed 69 consecutive years now (1956) without ever missing a beat.’
The crooner’s iconic silky voice is best known in hits including Misty, Chances Are, and his 1976 Christmas classic When a Child is Born. He also has six original Christmas albums.
The longest-running recording artist on Columbia Records, he recorded 53 studio albums between 1960 and 1990, carrying on for his dedicated fanbase when his crooner style fell behind the mainstream.
Talking about his career, Johnny once said: ‘The most fun I’ve had over the years is singing with my girlfriends: Dionne Warwick, Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, and on and on.
‘That’s so fulfilling as a performer – working in tandem with someone else. That’s what I really cherish.’
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