Musical epochs come and go. Frank Sinatra, et al., the Crooners or the 1950s, were replaced by Rock N’ Rollers like Elvis Presley, who themselves gave way by the following decade to disco. Yet through it all there was one name that endured on the pop charts for almost as long as there have been pop charts, the name that rose to stardom on the strength of one early telegram by a record A&R exec: “Have found phenomenal 19-year-old boy who could go all the way. Send blank contracts.”

On this day, September 30, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas Johnny Mathis was born. He developed a musical aptitude from an early age, and was encouraged by his family. His father brought home a used piano when Mathis was only eight, and from the age of thirteen his studied singing with a Bay Area voice teacher.

Mathis could have easily been an athlete instead. In high school he broke the high-jump record held by NBA legend Bill Russell, and at San Francisco State University, he passed up an opportunity to try out for the U.S. track and field Olympic team, choosing instead his singing career. Now in his 70s, Mathis still plays (and sings) in major golf tournaments. In 1985 and 1986, he actually hosted his own golf tournament, The Johnny Mathis Seniors PGA Classic, held in Los Angeles.