Lifestyle Health Celebrity Health Johnny Mathis, 89, Retiring from Performing Due to Age and 'Accelerated' Memory Issues The singer's final performance will be on Sunday, May 18, in Englewood, N.J. By Charna Flam Charna Flam Charna Flam is a writer-reporter at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Variety, The New York Post, and The Wrap. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 27, 2025 11:05AM EDT 6 Comments Johnny Mathis on December 23, 2022 in Irvine, California. Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty 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 canceled,” 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.’ ” Johnny Mathis in October 2023 in Atlanta. Paras Griffin/Getty Eagles Guitarist Steuart Smith Retiring from Band After Parkinsonism Diagnosis 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.” Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Johnny Mathis performing in December 1962. Don Smith/Radio Times via Getty The Zombies' Rod Argent Announces Retirement from Touring as He Recovers from Stroke 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. Close Leave a Comment