• Faith: Christian - Catholic
• Career: Musician
• Birthday:  September 30, 1935

John “Johnny” Royce Mathis was born in Gilmer, a small northeastern Texas town near Shreveport, Louisiana. His parents, both professional line cooks, raised seven children there, but moved to San Francisco when he was five years old.

In grade school on the West Coast, Johnny’s voice became something of an attraction, filling up his school auditorium on talent nights. His father, Clem, was also a trained pianist and former Vaudeville singer. His influence helped Johnny find his voice, which he displayed frequently, growing up with his first song, “My Blue Heaven.”

When he was 13, Clem connected Johnny with a local voice teacher in exchange for free housework. For six years, he studied vocal theory, ability and ranges, including classical and opera.

By the mid-1950s, Mathis was pursuing a full-time career in music with a jazz sextet at eh Black Hawk Club in San Francisco. The club’s owner was so impressed with Mathis’ dulcet tones that she became his first manager, trying to help him break through.

A noteworthy story between a young Mathis and his manager, Helen Noga was written like this: After repeated calls, Noga persuaded Avakian to hear Mathis at the 440 Club. After hearing Mathis sing, Avakian sent his record company a telegram reading: "Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts."

One year later, Mathis was recording two of his most popular songs, “Wonderful Wonderful” and “It’s Not For Me to Say.” The following year, he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, where he sang “Chances Are,” which cemented him in music history. Of the 200 songs he has produced, 71 have charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Johnny Mathis’ Religious Beliefs

Little is written about Johnny Mathis having a walk with God. His parents raised him in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and he sang in the choir.

He had a storied battle with alcoholism and prescription drug addiction later in his career. At that time, he said that he “converted to Catholicism.”

There was also an errant “off-the-record” comment that was recorded and posted in a 1982 article in Us magazine.The article attributed this quote to Mathis: “Homosexuality is a way of life that I've grown accustomed to.”

That quote would contradict teachings from the Roman Catholic Church, but Mathis always refuted that statement. However, other publications report that while he still identifies as Catholic and continues to pray, he’s also honest about feeling a certain distance from the Church, especially around its stance on LGBTQ+ issues.

He’s always expressed a deep spiritual openness in his music, singing everything from traditional spirituals to Jewish songs, reflecting his belief in “the unifying power of worship and art.”.