Yes, Johnny Mathis Is Soulful!
Celebrating the final concert by the legendary Mr. Mathis on Sunday, May 18th, 2025
The definition of ‘being soulful,’ be it in music or in any other context - such as ‘being soulful’ a state of mind or as a way to express oneself in life - is open to interpretation! My soul music ‘purist’ friends may shake their heads at the notion that ‘The Voice Of Romance,’ the quintessential balladeer Johnny Mathis could be ‘soulful,’ using the term as a reference in its usual musical manner.
I beg (and those of you who know me know I never beg!) to differ - as have the likes of the late maestro and masterful Mr. Thom Bell, who said that working with Johnny was “the sterling of sterling… You work hard reaching that pinnacle to work with him. And that’s what I did. I worked as hard as I could. After I started [in 1972] with the Spinners is when I told my manager, ‘I’d like to grab Mathis.'” Thom got his wish with the albums “I’m Coming Home” (1973) and “Mathis Is…” (1977) and in an extensive interview I did with Thom some years ago, he waxed lyrical about working with Johnny. Check the link at SoulMusic.com
In 1988, I conducted a memorable face-to-face interview with the ever-charming Mr. Mathis at his Hollywood Hills home for Britain’s “Blues & Soul” on the occasion of the release of the LP, “Once In A While.”
As you’ll see from the headline and the first few lines, the editors at B&S were also a little ‘surprised’ at featuring the esteemed Johnny Mathis gracing the magazine’s pages!
37 years on from our interview, my friend and colleague, premier publicist Gwendolyn Quinn was gracious in asking me to say a few words as a short video in tribute to music icon Johnny Mathis on the occasion of his final concert this past Sunday, May 18th at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in New Jersey.
All photos with kind permission and courtesy, Linda Solomon, photojournalist/author www.lindasolomonphotography.com/picturesofhope.org
It was an honour, in particular since I was among a very distinguished list of recording artists, performers and industry notables - such luminaries as Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Barry Manilow, Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Porter, Leslie Uggams, Valerie Simpson, Darlene Love, Vanessa Williams, Ledisi, Regina Belle, Deniece Williams, Clive Davis, Whoopi Goldberg and Gayle King - to be included in paying homage to a man whose tenure as a recording artist goes back to 1956, when his first of a remarkable 68 albums for Columbia Records.
Here’s the video…
With thanks to Gwendolyn Quinn and Linda Solomon (for permission to use the photos from Sunday night’s epic event and photos from her files from 1984 and 1985) - much appreciation!
© 2025, David Nathan/Blue Butterfly Entertainment Ltd. (UK); all rights reserved