Johnny Mathis, 89, Retiring from Performing Due to Age and ‘Accelerated’ Memory Issues

Johnny Mathis is retiring from live performing.

On Wednesday, March 26, Mathis’ Facebook account announced that the 89-year-old crooner will stop performing live, due to “age and memory issues, which have accelerated.”

The singer will continue to perform three more shows on his “Voice Of Romance Tour” before his final performance on Sunday, May 18. “There are still some exciting concerts coming up, regrettably all Johnny Mathis concerts from June 2025 onwards are now cancelled,” the Facebook post read. 

He will also perform on Thursday, April 10, in Shippensburg, Penn.; Saturday, April 26, in Shipshewana, Ind.; and Saturday, May 10, in Santa Rosa, Calif., before his May 18 concert in Englewood, N.J.

“Johnny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music,” the statement read, before concluding, “It’s truly been ‘Wonderful, Wonderful.’ ”

Mathis kicked off the Voice Of Romance Tour in September 2024 and has received good reviews for his recent performances.

After a show at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, Minn., the Minneapolis Star Tribune called Mathis’ performance “the most beautifully romantic concert in a theater in recent memory.”

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Mathis’ retirement follows nearly 70 years of touring. He began his career in 1955 and released his first album, Johnny Mathis: A New Sound In Popular Song, in 1956. 

Throughout his long career, Mathis landed 34 songs on the Hot 100 and had three songs reach the top 10. He also released 79 studio albums, with his most recent release, Johnny Mathis Sings the Great New American Songbook, in 2017. 

He was nominated for five Grammys and he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003. His classics “Chances Are,” “Misty” and “It’s Not For Me to Say” have all been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Mathis and Jane Olivor also scored an Oscar nomination in 1978 for their song “The Last Time I Felt Like This” from Same Time, Next Year.

Mathis remains Columbia Records’ longest-signed recording artist, per his website.