John Royce Mathis, born September 30, 1935, is an acclaimed American singer whose career spans nearly seven decades. Known as one of the best-selling recording artists of the twentieth century, he gained wide popularity with his romantic ballads and albums, many of which earned gold or platinum status and appeared on the Billboard charts. Mathis’s versatile discography covers traditional pop, Latin American music, soul, rhythm and blues, show tunes, soft rock, country, and even disco. He is also recognized for his Christmas albums and has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as three inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Influenced by artists like Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, Mathis remains a celebrated figure in American music.