Plas Johnson, the celebrated saxophonist whose distinctive tenor saxophone solo defined Henry Mancini's iconic Pink Panther theme, has died aged 94. He was a first-call session musician in Hollywood, renowned for his stylistic and technical versatility across saxophones, flute, and clarinet.
Early life and career beginnings
Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, on 21 July 1931, Johnson was the son of Grace and Plas Johnson Sr, a musician who bought him his first saxophone. After moving to New Orleans, he played with his brother Ray in clubs as the Johnson Brothers Combo. In 1951, aged 19, he joined blues singer Charles Brown's band, but his stint ended six months later when he was drafted into the army.
After leaving the army in 1954, Johnson moved to Los Angeles, where fellow New Orleans musicians like drummer Earl Palmer helped him break into the studio scene. He quickly became a sought-after player, often booked for two sessions daily, including film and television soundtracks.
The Pink Panther and studio dominance
In 1963, during a session for Henry Mancini's score for the comedy The Pink Panther, Johnson was asked to play a stealthy melody on tenor saxophone. Mancini later wrote, "I had a specific saxophone player in mind... Plas had the sound and the style I wanted." The theme became a US Top 10 hit. Johnson was the only Black musician among the 20 players in that session, reflecting the recent merger of Los Angeles's segregated musicians' unions.
His session work spanned pop hits like the Platters' The Great Pretender, Sam Cooke's Twistin' the Night Away, and Bobby Day's Rockin' Robin. He also played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and later Linda Ronstadt, BB King, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Tom Waits, and Etta James. Johnson was less pleased when Mancini recorded later Pink Panther films in London with English saxophonist Tony Coe.
Jazz recognition and later years
Despite his studio success, Johnson's jazz skills were showcased on albums like This Must Be the Plas! (1959) and Mood for the Blues (1960). Under the pseudonym Johnny Beecher, he recorded mood jazz albums Sax 5th Avenue (1962) and On the Scene (1963). A 15-year stint on The Merv Griffin Show delayed his jazz reputation until session work declined and he signed with Concord Records. Albums The Blues (1975) and Positively (1976) were warmly received, leading to international festival appearances.
In 2005, Johnson told the Long Beach Press-Telegram, "I'd just go in and do what they asked for. It was easy for me, and they liked what I played." He died on 15 July 2026, survived by his wife Carol, children from two marriages, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
