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I’ve been a Johnny Mathis fan for over 50 years. And when the holiday season comes around, his music is a must for seasonal listening. I met him once back in 1958. My high school girlfriend loved his music (“Misty” was his big hit then) and he was performing at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis. I saved for months to attend his supper club performance. On the night of his concert, my girl friend and I went to the top of the hotel to look out over the city before the show started. We got back on the elevator and it came to a stop one floor below the top. Johnny Mathis got on heading down to perform. After a few speechless seconds, we said hello, and he could not have been more gracious.
He walked with us up to the front door, said goodbye, and then he went back stage. We were seated by the maitre de right up front and enjoyed a grand supper and Johnny singing several numbers right to my lady. After a memorial show, I asked for the check. “There is no charge sir,” I was told. “You are with Mr. Mathis.” I’m not sure whether the maitre’ de saw us walk in with Johnny or if he asked that we be compted. But whatever happened, it was an unforgettable evening. Take a listen to Johnny singing “It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas.”
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