Photos courtesy of Jeremy Smith for bergenPAC

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- The stars came out to celebrate the final concert of entertainment icon Johnny Mathis' "The Voice of Romance" at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Englewood, New Jersey. Photographer Jeremy Smith was on hand to take photos.

The final concert of Johnny Mathis was a truly remarkable event, showcasing a range of special guests who came to honor and celebrate the enduring talent of this esteemed American icon. The evening featured notable celebrities, including Darlene Love, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Valerie Simpson, Gerald Alston, Liz Callaway, Ray Chew, Norm Lewis, and Regina Belle, who all expressed admiration for Johnny's magnificent performance, accompanied by a full 30-piece orchestra. During the concert, Johnny Mathis delighted the sold-out audience with a selection of his classic hits, including "Chances Are," "It's Not For Me to Say," and "Misty," among many others.

The evening celebration began with a VIP reception and a special Walk of Fame ceremony, during which bergenPAC honored Mr. Mathis by presenting him with a plaque on its Walk of Fame.

Before the concert started, attendees enjoyed a star-studded tribute video that featured testimonials from Johnny's celebrity friends in the music industry. Featured celebrities included Regina Belle, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ray Chew, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Clive Davis, Michael Eric Dyson, Whoopi Goldberg, Harvey Mason Jr., Chaka Khan, Gayle King, Bubba Knight, Patti LaBelle, Norm Lewis, Darlene Love, Barry Manilow, David Nathan, Billy Porter, Lionel Richie, Nile Rodgers, Donnie Simpson, Valerie Simpson, Barbra Streisand, Leslie Uggams, Deniece Williams, and Vanessa Williams.

"We are honored Mr. Mathis has selected BergenPAC as the venue for his farewell concert," remarked Alexander R. Diaz, Executive Director of BergenPAC. "Having performed in Englewood over ten times, we consider it a privilege to participate in the celebration of his final tour stop. In tribute to Johnny Mathis, the BergenPAC Performing Arts School has established an annual scholarship in his name, which will be awarded to a deserving student pursuing a career in the performing arts."

"We are truly grateful to host this celebratory occasion," said Valerie Huttle, Chair of BergenPAC's Board of Directors. "We have had many special performances at BergenPAC featuring artists like Aretha Franklin, Ringo Starr, Frankie Valli, and Diana Ross, and this is undoubtedly a historic night at the arts center. We are grateful to have made this a memorable evening for all the patrons who attended. It was truly wonderful."

(LEFT to RIGHT) Dee Dee Bridgewater, Regina Belle and Darlene Love. 

(LEFT to RIGHT) Gerald Alston, Regina Belle and Ray Chew.

Valerie Simpson

Norm Lewis

Johnny Mathis is one of the most enduring vocalists in music history. The five-time Grammy Award-nominated artist and recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award boasts a 70-year recording career across various musical genres, including stage and film, jazz standards, contemporary popular music, holiday music, and more. With three songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, he has recorded 80 original albums and seven Christmas albums.

He has achieved 50 hits on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts and ranks as the all-time No. 6 album artist in the history of Billboard's pop album charts. He is also the longest-signed artist on Columbia Records, a division of Legacy Recordings and Sony Music Entertainment. Johnny Mathis's Greatest Hits became one of the most popular albums of all time, spending an unprecedented 490 consecutive weeks (almost ten years) on the Billboard Top Albums Chart!

With a vast repertoire that includes music composed for stage and film, golden-era jazz standards, contemporary pop hits, and holiday music, Mathis has solidified his reputation as one of the most enduring vocalists in music history. Best known for his beloved songs like "Chances Are," "It's Not For Me To Say," and "Misty," Mathis has recorded close to 80 albums and sold millions of records worldwide. Throughout his extensive career, he has achieved three Grammy Hall of Fame inductions, 50 hits on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart, and five Grammy nominations. In 2003, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Founded in 2003, bergenPAC is a cultural hub in Englewood, New Jersey, offering a variety of world-class entertainment. Home to the renowned Performing Arts School, bergenPAC provides innovative arts education to thousands of students annually. With a rich history and commitment to community enrichment, bergenPAC continues to inspire and engage audiences of all ages.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JEREMY SMITH FOR BERGENPAC