Johnny Mathis: Nancy Reagan played big role in my life
- JOHNNY MATHIS IN CONCERT
- 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22
- Mansfield Theater
- $69 and $89 per person
At 80 years old, singer Johnny Mathis hasn’t lost a step. In his 60-year career, he’s been all over the world, sold millions of records, worked with musical icons from Barbra Streisand to Billy Joel and hasn’t stopped touring and recording since 1956.
His album, “Johnny’s Greatest Hits,” spent nearly 10 continuous years on the Billboard top albums chart, a record topped only by Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” His hits include “Chances Are,” “Misty” and “It’s Not For Me to Say.”
Ahead of his April 22 concert at the Mansfield Theater, Mathis, whose memory has stayed as clear as his voice, took some time to speak with the Great Falls Tribune.
In your career, what was an opportunity that being a singer has provided you that was a big thrill for you?
There’s so many opportunities that I’ve had over the years to sing in places of importance to the world, and I think that representing my music in the White House was the most spectacular thing that I’ve ever done.
Through the years, I’ve struck up a very close relationship with Nancy Reagan. I’ve been very sad this last few days hearing about her death, and I’m looking forward to showing my respects at her funeral.
When I was very, very miserable – I think I was probably drinking too much and lost my concentration about things – (Reagan) suggested I go to a therapist, and I did. I went to a place that was run by some Jesuit priests, and I spent about a month there talking to them and trying to figure out why I did negative things. So she played a very big part in my life, and I’m very grateful to her over the years not only for inviting me to the White House on so many occasions but also for what she did for me as a human being.
Have you ever visited Montana just for fun?
I’ve traveled all over this country, and I love Montana. It’s a great place. I used to visit some friends in Idaho, and we used to go to Montana, too. The first thing I liked about it was that I was in a place I had seen in the movies. I grew up a kid watching Western movies, and a lot of them were based in Montana, so that’s kind of where I was coming from.
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Do you write any of your own songs?
I am not talented in that respect, no. I’ve corrected a few in my time where the English, I thought, was a little suspect, and I’ve changed a few words. I even got credit very early in my career for writing one because I rewrote it a little bit and the lady who wrote the song was very sweet and put my name on the credits. And that’s about as close as I’ve come.
A lot of people thing that we as singers write our stuff, and it’s true in a lot of instances, but I was never ever good at it. I’ve tried and failed miserably. I was just always the one who tried to interpret what was written.
When you were in college, around the same time, you had an opportunity go to the Olympic trials and your first recording contract offer, so you had a big choice to make there.
I wanted to go to the Olympics, as a matter of fact, because a couple of my good buddies were basketball players for the University of San Francisco. They were going to the Olympics, and I was friends with both of them, and my only chance was as a high jumper to go.
My dad and I had been working since I was a little kid – I think I started voice lessons when I was about 12 or 13 – and we were looking for some way to take advantage of my music. During that same week that I was to go to the Olympic trials, I got an opportunity to go to New York to make my first recording. So it was kind of a mixed bag, but my chances were much greater as a singer than as a high jumper, I think.
And your dad encouraged you a lot in the area of music, didn’t he?
My dad was my best pal. He was the first person I ever heard sing, and I kind of think I sound a lot like him. He sang very quietly, though, he never sang above a conversation. But he was the best and the biggest part of my life while he was alive and I went to him for every occasion I had to make decisions. He was always there for me, and I miss him greatly.
My dad and my mom were both overjoyed at the extent that my performances took me all over the world. They worked so hard and I think it took a great toll on them, but during their latter years I was able to help them financially, get them a nice house to live in after they had raised all their children and even travel a little bit with me. They were absolutely overwhelmed by my success, and I was so happy that before they passed away that they had a chance to see my success.
You’re still touring and out there on the road. Do you have plans to keep going until you can’t go anymore?
I’ve just been happy that I’ve had a career, and every year that goes along, I’ve had some degree of success – at least, the people are still coming to see my performances. I really don’t have anything in my life that means as much to me as my musical career. I’ve planned and worked at it for so many years and it has really never let me down as far as my opportunities were concerned, so I’m really locked into it, and I’m very, very grateful that I still have an audience at the age of 80 years old.
Is there any word on a new album?
There’s a wonderful artist who not only has a career as a singer and musician, but he also has produced just a great amount of performance himself. His name is Babyface (Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds).
I went to him because my record company was suggesting some avenues that I could go to for my next recording, and I was a little puzzled – I didn’t quite know what to do. But I came in contact with him, and he agreed to do my next recording. So I’ve rehearsed with him and our first two songs I’m going to record probably in the next month.
Have you worked with any other modern or contemporary artists?
Most of my collaborations have been with established people who had their success starting when I did. The younger group, I just haven’t had a chance really to meet any of them, and it might be fun to pursue that avenue, yeah. If they even know who I am!
COMING SOON
What: Johnny Mathis in Concert
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 22
Where: Mansfield Theater
Cost: $69 and $89 per person