Legendary singer Johnny Mathis announces final performance before retirement
Legendary crooner Johnny Mathis has announced his retirement from touring and live performing due to ' age and memory issues.'
The 89-year-old romantic singer, behind hits like 'Wonderful, Wonderful' and 'It's Not For Me To Say,' was scheduled to continue touring throughout the summer. However, he has now canceled all concerts from June 2025 onwards.
'As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year,' a statement shared from his Facebook account read. 'So, it's with sincere regret that due to Mr. Mathis' age and memory issues which have accelerated, we are announcing his retirement from touring & live concerts.'
'At this time, the 2025 Voice of Romance Tour dates will continue, with the final concert currently scheduled on May 18, 2025 in Englewood, New Jersey at the Bergen PAC,' the statement continued.
'Johnny Mathis & his entire staff send their heartfelt gratitude to all Mathis Fans worldwide for your continued love & support of his music. It's truly been 'Wonderful, Wonderful,'' it concluded.
Mathis' final concert brings an end to an incredible singing career that has spanned over six decades. In that time, he's recorded 73 studio albums, 10 of which are certified Gold for having sold 500,000 units each. In total, he's gone on to sell more than 360 million records worldwide, according to The National Museum of African American History & Culture.
His most popular album, Johnny's Greatest Hits, was once the record holder for the longest-running album to chart on the Billboard 200. It remained on the chart for 490 weeks from its 1958 release until 1968. It was later dethroned by Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of the Moon.
In 2003, Mathis was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He's also nabbed five nominations, with his first one being in 1960 for Best Vocal Performance Single Record Or Track, Male for his song 'Misty.'
Mathis is also known for his Christmas albums. In fact, his latest album, released in 2023, is titled Christmas Time Is Here and features covers of several holiday classics, including 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' and 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.'
Speaking to The Independent in 2008 about aging, Mathis said the best age to be was 'the age you are. When you get my age, you're really quite happy.'
'Make sure your life encompasses everything and everybody,' he added.
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Smash Room (Credit: Supplied) Crash bang wallop your way through an afternoon and release some irritation from those occasional squabbles through smashing something to pieces. Designed to be broken, the room is filled with electronics, glass and fragile objects that you can destroy at your will. Once your rage is over, all of the debris is recycled, and replaced, so it's therapeutic for you, your relationship and the environment. From Dhs69 per person. Open Mon-Thu noon-10.45pm; Fri-Sat noon-11.45pm, Sun noon-10.30pm. Al Quoz, (04 339 7810). Smash Room City If one smash room isn't enough, make your way round an entire city instead. Pick your favourite room(s) and go to town destroying an office, supermarket, restaurant, whatever you feel like. You even get to pick your weapon of choice (how fun). From Dhs397 per room. Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sun 10am-noon. Sport Society, Mirdif, (04 324 5914). Showhouse Head down to the car park of the Intercontinental Dubai Marina, where you'll stumble upon the incredible new stage and dinner show. Enter through the 'dressing rooms', where you see the cast getting ready for their debut. Then it's time to watch the story unfold, while you have the option to enjoy dinner and drink or two. From Dhs200. Open Wed-Thu 7pm-midnight, Fri-Sat 8pm-3am. InterContinental Dubai Marina, Dubai Marina (04 423 8312). SUSHISAMBA (Credit: SUSHISAMBA) You won't be staring into each other's eyes here, instead you'll be fixated on those incredible views over Palm Jumeirah. Head up to the iconic sushi restaurant on the 51st floor by day or night to admire the lookout, and make sure to order the crispy taquitos and the classic Samba Dubai roll to share while you're there. Open Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Sat-Sun 1pm-3.30pm (lunch); Sun-Thu 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat 6pm-3am (dinner). St Regis, Palm Jumeirah, (04 278 4888). Swingers (Credit: Swingers) Recently landing in Bluewaters, this crazy course will let you have one full round for Dhs80, making it another bargain activity to get under your belt. There are three fun courses to choose from, made up of obstacles from hot air balloons to funfairs. If you fancy a mixed drink then you're in luck, as the venue lets you take your drinks round the course with you, meanwhile a live DJ will be playing some cracking beats in the background. Don't forget your phone either, because this place is made for the 'gram. From Dhs80. Open Mon-Wed 4pm-1am; Thu-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat noon-2am; Sun noon-1am. Bluewaters Island, (04 557 6309). Time Out Market (Credit: Time Out Market) If you're other half just can't decide what they want to eat, take them here. The market is packed with some of the city's best food vendors guaranteed to satisfy any craving. In the mood for a filling treat? Grab the garlic knots from Pitfire Pizza. Want something a little more local? Be sure to try the Za'atar Man'ousheh from Three by Eva. Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, (054 375 2421). Indoor activities in Dubai -Sports and Wellness Barry's Bootcamp It might be an indoor class, but this one is guaranteed to get you as sweaty as a 10k run in the summer sun. The HIIT (high intensity interval training) is a huge hit in Dubai, so get yourself booked in for a mixture of cardio and strength training. Finish off with a cold protein shake in the venue afterwards to get your energy levels back up and compliment those endorphins. Class prices vary. DIFC and Dubai Marina, Dubai Ice Rink (Credit: Supplied) Get gliding on the ice and cool yourself right down in the Olympic-sized rink slap bang in the middle of Dubai Mall. Kids and adults alike will be able to move around, have fun and sharpen their skating skills. It's also a great excuse to shake the dust off your winter woollies. The flurries of fake snow falling from the sky (AKA the rooftop of the mall) will make your cold dreams come true. From Dhs110. Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sun 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (800 382246255). FaceFit Created in Lebanon, the FaceFit studio has now permanently set up base in Dubai to make sure your cheeks are as rosy as ever. Training 42 different muscles in your face, the hero workout is the 'signature sculpt' which starts with a quick cleanse before some face stretching and massage, also known as the warm-up. Ending with some cooling gels and sculpting, your visit to the gym can be over in as little as 30 minutes. From Dhs250. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. Town Centre, Jumeirah, (052 696 5454). Forma Every visited a secret pizzeria inside a library? Say hello to Forma, the latest must-visit spot in Jumeirah. This new pizza place can be found in Al Safa Art and Design Library in Dubai and has all the arty vibes any creative could want. Order the miso corn before tucking into a six cheese pizza (the cheese pull is something else) then finish with the pretzel ice cream. Open daily, 8am. Al Safa Art & Design Library, Jumeirah @formauae Forma Project This is going to work out those knots. Dubai's first roll shaper studio, Forma Project is tucked away on the Golden Mile, and it's going to to get you feeling great. The deep tissue machine will get right in there as you move between different positions, and you can even burn up to 450 calories per session. From Dhs120 (two trial sessions). Open Mon-Sat 7.30am-9.30pm; Sun noon-9.30pm. Golden Mile Galleria, Palm Jumeirah. (058 112 1809). Roll DXB The 50 best indoor activities to try in Dubai (Credit: RollDXB) Swap the beach path for the retro rink and whizz around on some roller skates to your heart's content. Ideal for a cool Instagram pic, hire a pair of light up skates at RollDXB and strike a pose next to the neon signs. If you're really a beginner, there are newbie classes every Saturday morning so you can practice before showing off to your friends. From Dhs65. Open Mon-Wed 11am-11pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm. Marina Cubes St, Dubai Maritime City, Port Rashid, (04 238 6206). Bedrock – Golf Simulator (Credit: Bedrock) It might not be nine holes at Emirates Golf Club, but it's as close as you can get indoors. There are a few simulators across the city where you can get a digital hole-in-one, including at Bedrock in Dubai Marina. The X-Golf simulator will let you try out 50 of the world's top courses, or work on your swing at the virtual driving range. Dhs200 per hour (noon-5pm), Dhs280 (from 5pm). Open daily noon-2am. Pier 7, Dubai Marina, (04 578 1668). GRIP The new sports hub in Jumeirah Heights has just launched, and there's tonnes for you to try, Whether you fancy a game of padel or pickleball, a tennis lesson or even a reformer pilates class, you can get them all here under one roof (yes, there are classes and courts inside). P.S – once you've finished working up a sweat, be sure to grab a smoothie or a flat white from the café before you head home. Open daily 7am-midnight. Jumeirah Heights, (050 499 2469). iFly Dubai Once you have accepted that jumping out of a plane in Dubai is too terrifying, but that you really want the feeling of weightlessness, then iFly is your only option. Strap on a special suit and enter a 10m indoor glass tunnel and jets of wind will shoot you in to the air to (try and) perform aerial stunts. From Dhs179. Open Mon-Thu noon-9pm, Fri-Sun noon-11pm. Mirdif City Centre, Mirdif, (600 5999905). Japanese head spa The viral treatment has seen some serious success in Dubai, and you can spend 90-minutes experiencing pure relaxation. Start with a head massage and hair wash, followed by a scalp treatment, facial scrub and steaming before leaving feeling brand new. Dhs555. Open Mon-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. Refive Spa, FIVE Jumeirah Village. JVC. (04 248 9964). Mountain Extreme rock climbing It's too hot to climb an actual mountain, but try improving your bouldering or strap into the ropes at Mountain Extreme. Get those hands covered in chalk and clamber about at the indoor climbing facility, with over 127 top rope routes. From Dhs125. Open Mon-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. Al Quoz, (04 236 6040). Padel Edition For a swish new spot to play padel, get on the court at Padel Edition in Al Quoz. Sporting eight indoor courses, a recovery zone and an in-house barista to get your post-game caffeine fix, your form will be at its best in no time. Prices vary. Open daily 7am-midnight. Al Quoz, (04 348 7481). Underwater yoga at Atlantis The 50 best indoor activities to try in Dubai (Credit: supplied) Start the day with a soothing under the sea session at The Lost Chambers Aquarium in Atlantis the Palm. Surrounded by calming blue lights and more than 65,000 marine animals, focus on your breathing and move through some sequences as sharks and stingrays sidle by. Running early morning on the weekends, book in for sessions until it's cool enough to resurface outdoors again. Dhs175. Sat-Sun, 8am-9am. The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis the Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 1000). Indoor activities in Dubai – Cinemas Cinema Akil Credit: Cinema Akil The independent cinema showcases a range of films from around the world. With locations at Alserkal Avenue and the 25hours Hotel Dubai, you can checkout screenings of smaller-scale productions, classic flicks and powerful documentaries. Grab the popcorn and check the monthly timetable to see what's new. Timings vary. Alserkal Avenue and 25hours Hotel Dubai. Roxy – Platinum Plus at BoxPark (Credit: Roxy) One of the city's most determinedly retro screens, plump for a screening at Platinum Plus at Roxy Cinema's BoxPark location. Scarlet armchair and speakeasy lighting? – yes please. Opt for a unique cinema experience, and get comfortable in the seats that look like they're out of a film themselves. To make things even better, there's a robust menu of hot plates as well as the usual cinema snacks, and table service. Prices vary. BoxPark, Al Wasl (800 7699). Reel Cinemas – Screen X – Dubai Mall (Credit: Reel Cinemas) You can't get more involved in a film than in here. The multi-projection screen at Reel Cinemas has a 270-degree screen, meaning it sweeps almost all the way around the room. Feel as if you're standing on the battlefield in an action movie, or get the fright of your life if you opt to watch a horror. Stock up on snacks and spend a couple of hours inside your film of choice. Reel Cinemas, Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai, (800 382246255). The Theatre at Vox Cinemas Tucked up inside Mall of the Emirates, this movie magic has gone *all out* to make you feel like a VIP. Arrive early before your movie, so you can make the most of the THEATRE lounge, complete with welcome drinks, pool tables and even shuffleboards for a quick game before the trailers start rolling. Ranging from around Dhs225 a ticket, popcorn is included, but of course, you can order some other treats once you're in there. And by treats, we mean a full three-course meal if you fancied it. Whether you choose burger sliders, a steak sandwich or dynamite shrimp, enjoy personal butler service. Prices vary. VOX Cinemas, Mall of the Emirates, Level 2, (600 599905). VOX Private Cinema (Credit: VOX) Get all the gang together for the ultimate movie night. The private screen in the Kempinski Hotel, Mall of the Emirates is available for booking so you can watch the latest releases without that noisy stranger scoffing nachos in the back row. Instead, treat your loved ones to a luxurious movie experience, with unlimited popcorn and soft beverages included in the price. Kempinski Mall of Emirates, (055 167 3908). Looking for other indoor activities to try in Dubai The best Chips Oman dishes in Dubai (and where to find them) Chips Oman ice cream anyone? It's official: These are the 86 best restaurants in Dubai After months of testing, the results are in The best gents' nights in Dubai to try with the lads Bargain-friendly fun
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Tell us your favourite TV shows of 2025 so far
The Guardian's culture writers have compiled their favourite TV shows of the year so far – and we'd like to hear about yours, too. Are there any new series that you would recommend watching? What have been best TV shows of the year so far, and why? You can tell us your favourite TV show of the year so far using this form. Please include as much detail as possible. Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first.
