Johnny Mathis

Johnny Mathis was born John Royce Mathis in San Francisco in 1935. He sang in a church choir as a boy, and in 1956, Columbia Records executive George Avakian signed him after hearing his voice. His debut album came out that same year, called 'Johnny Mathis: A New Sound in Popular Music.'

His 1957 single 'Chances Are' spent six weeks at number one on the Billboard chart. That success led to a string of popular recordings through the 1960s and 1970s, including songs like 'It's Not for Me to Say,' 'Misty,' and 'My Love For You.' His smooth baritone became closely associated with romantic ballads.

In 2010, Mathis wrote in his autobiography that he is gay, a part of his life he had kept private for decades. He has recorded more than 60 albums over his career, with his music appearing in films, television shows, and even the soundtrack for the Apollo 11 mission.