American jazz saxophonist Plas Johnson, whose unforgettable tenor saxophone solo on Henry Mancini’s The Pink Panther Theme became one of the most iconic moments in film music, has died aged 94.
Johnson passed away on 15 July in Los Angeles, just days before his 95th birthday. Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, he began performing with his family before forging an extraordinary career as one of America’s most in-demand session musicians. Alongside his legendary work with Mancini, he recorded with music greats including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King and Johnny Otis. Johnson’s warm, distinctive sound featured on countless recordings, but it was his instantly recognisable Pink Panther solo that secured his place in jazz and popular music history.