Pop icon Johnny Mathis announces retirement from touring

Mathis' team revealed the news on Wednesday in a statement posted on his official Facebook page:

As many of you may already be aware, Johnny Mathis is approaching his 90th birthday this year. 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. 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".

Mathis, 89, is scheduled for performances in April and May, but the rest of his scheduled dates for concerts through both the summer and fall have been canceled.

He is widely recognized as a pioneer of the romantic ballad style that emerged in the 1950s and became highly popular as an album artist, with several of his albums achieving gold or platinum status and 73 making the Billboard charts. He also became widely known for his holiday albums. His discography includes traditional pop, Latin American, soul, rhythm and blues, show tunes, Tin Pan Alley, soft rock, blues, country music, and even a few disco songs for his album Mathis Magic in 1979.

In 2003, the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded Mathis the Lifetime Achievement Award.

At his peak, he was booking some 200 concert dates a year.