Before the 1960s influences of Motown, The Beatles, and The Beach Boys, the style of popular music was different. In the 1950s, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bo Diddley created and revolutionized the sound that would be called rock and roll.

During this decade, traditional songs in the style of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett soldiered on for popularity, radio airplay, and record sales.

One iconic balladeer who is still with us, as of this writing, is Johnny Mathis. Mathis was a champion of the "standards" music genre. Standards use lots of strings, horns, and up-front vocals showcasing easily heard, understandable lyrics.

I've played two Mathis songs on the radio in the 1970s and 1980s. 1978's "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late," a duet with Deniece Williams was the first. 1982's "Friends in Love," a duet with Dionne Warwick was the second.

Johnny Mathis had his biggest solo hit in 1957. "Chances Are" was a #1 pop song, and a #12 R&B song! Although it is not R&B, it is a great song. "Chances Are" was a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame winner.

Here are a few other Johnny Mathis pop hits:

• "It's Not For Me To Say," 1957
• "The Twelfth of Never," 1957
• "Wonderful! Wonderful!," 1957
• "Wild is the Wind," 1957
• "A Certain Smile," 1958
• "All The Time," 1958
• "Teacher, Teacher," 1958
• "No Love (But Your Love)," 1958
• "Come To Me," 1958
• "Sweet Thursday," 1962

There are many more in the 1960s, but these ten are great examples of his success and popularity.

"I Only Have Eyes For You" is one of my six Johnny Mathis albums, all on Columbia Records. Five are from the 1970s, one is from 1982. I certainly lean toward more of a funkier music groove, but a legend is a legend. Historic music is just that!

Recently, this Sequence album came into my possession. Presenting the front and back of their 1983 record for you is a follow-up to my story about group members Angie B, Blondy and Cheryl The Pearl. Their experience with my family member in her house is a snapshot of city life at the dawn of hip hop. Enjoy reading it.

I get a lot of emails from Whitney Houston's posthumous promotion machine. Her team provides updates about new remixes, swag, and noteworthy fan events. Keeping her memory alive is a good thing. We all know her hits, but I was very impressed with the new Whitney Houston Gospel album released in 2023.

If you are a Whitney lover, discover, one more time my Whitney Houston: I Go To The Rock review. The songs are spiritually uplifting. Check them out.

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