“The Final Curtain Call of the Voice of Romance”
On the evening of May 18, 2025, the legendary singer Johnny Mathis, at the venerable age of 89, delivered his final live performance at the Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood, New Jersey, marking the end of a stunning nearly 70-year career
The night was a masterclass in emotional resonance and musical grace. Music fans filled the sold-out venue to the rafters, while fellow artists—including Darlene Love, Regina Belle, and album-industry stalwarts—gathered in tribute and celebration
A star-studded video montage featuring Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, and Chaka Khan set the tone for the evening, honoring the man whose voice had become synonymous with romance itself
For over two and a half hours, Mathis enchanted the audience with a breathtaking 32-song, two-act set, ending with an encore that forever echoed in the hearts of attendees
He performed classics like “When I Fall in Love,” “It’s Not for Me to Say,” “Chances Are,” “Wild Is the Wind,” “Misty,” and closed with the poignant, hopeful ballad “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?”
Witnesses describe a performance that felt timeless—his voice “so sweet, clean, and clear as it was 40 years ago”
Fans reported being moved to tears, emotionally wrapped in the warmth and sincerity of Mathis’s delivery: “For those two-and-a-half bittersweet yet triumphant hours, hands were held and tears were shed… the music never ends.”
This final performance was more than a farewell—it was a celebration of enduring artistry, the profound bond between artist and audience, and the timeless power of a voice that defined romance for generations. Although Johnny Mathis has stepped off the stage for the last time, his music lives on—echoing through memories, playlists, and hearts worldwide.