Johnny Mathis, byname of John Royce Mathis, (born September 30, 1935, Gilmer, Texas, U.S.), American pop singer who achieved wide and enduring popularity as an angelic-voiced crooner of romantic ballads. He was perhaps best known for his affecting rendition of the Erroll Garner composition “Misty” (1959). Mathis grew up in a large working-class family in San Francisco. He developed an appreciation of music from his father, a former vaudeville performer, and, as a child, he sang regularly in church and at school events. From age 13 he also took vocal lessons, which provided him with a classical foundation for his burgeoning talent.