Plas Johnson, the US jazz saxophonist renowned for his iconic solo on Henry Mancini's The Pink Panther Theme, has died at the age of 94. The musician passed away on 15 July in Granada Hills, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, according to reports from the Los Angeles jazz radio station KKJZ and his hometown newspaper, the Donaldsonville Chief.
Early Life and Career
Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Johnson began his musical journey singing with his family. His father, a banjo and saxophone player, bought him a soprano saxophone, sparking his lifelong passion. He made his recording debut in 1950 alongside his brother Ray for DeLuxe Records, later touring with singer and pianist Charles Brown.
After switching to alto and tenor saxophone, Johnson relocated to Los Angeles in 1954, where he established himself as a prolific session musician. He recorded with an array of legendary artists, including Frank Sinatra, BB King, Johnny Otis, Marvin Gaye, and Nat King Cole.
The Pink Panther Theme and Legacy
Johnson's most famous contribution came in 1963 when he recorded the tenor saxophone solo for The Pink Panther Theme, composed by Henry Mancini. The film score later ranked 20th on the American Film Institute's list of greatest film scores, won three Grammy awards, and was nominated for an Oscar for best original score at the 37th Academy Awards.
Reflecting on the recording session, Johnson told the Donaldsonville Chief: "We only did two takes, I think. When we finished, everyone applauded, even the string players. And that's saying something … They never applaud for anything."
Impact and Recognition
Johnson's ability to elevate recordings was widely acknowledged. He once remarked, "My solos always seemed to bring the record up another notch. I could do that in eight bars, I could do that in 12 bars and I was used to maybe do[ing] fills behind the vocalist after that."
Social media posts from family members confirmed his death, with one Donaldsonville-based Facebook user writing on 17 July: "My cousin Mr Plas Johnson passed away. RIP Cuz." Johnson died six days before his 95th birthday.
