Clearly, Johnny Mathis

What happens when you lose your “legend” performer? Even in L.A., it’s not easy to find another on short notice. But, when Tony Bennett canceled after the invitations were in the mail for Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center’s 75th anniversary gala May 19, another legend saved the day--Johnny Mathis.

Mathis sauntered onto the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel stage and sang his heart out with a voice that seemed as clear as it was 45 years ago when he cut his first album.

More than 500 guests packed the ballroom for the dinner dance and silent auction. Simona and Marvin Elkin co-chaired the event that raised more than $700,000 for the center’s Orthopaedic Hospital Replacement Project currently underway.