Johnny Mathis has been making very popular records for some 30 years. In conversation with Michael Parkinson, he recalls his childhood in a poor part of San Francisco, his great success as an athlete, the difficult decision he made to become a singer instead and the trials and tribulations of touring.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: Lujon (Slow Hot Wind) by Henry Mancini and his Orchestra