Plas Johnson, Saxophonist Behind The Pink Panther Theme, Dies at 94

Loss of Plas Johnson

The death of the session musician, confirmed by his children Eric Johnson and Stephanie Oliver to The New York Times, marks the loss of a figure in the sound of mid-century Hollywood. A fixture of the Los Angeles studio scene for decades, Johnson’s career spanned from the jump-blues era of the 1950s to his work with jazz labels. His children noted that the musician had remained active until the end, having performed for an audience at his retirement community shortly before his passing.

Early Life in Donaldsonville

Born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Johnson was the son of a professional saxophonist. He began his musical journey singing with his family’s group at age 10 before his father purchased a soprano saxophone for him. Largely self-taught, he transitioned to alto and eventually tenor saxophone. In the late 1940s, he and his pianist brother, Ray Johnson, began recording as the Johnson Brothers in New Orleans. Following his service in the Army in 1951, he toured with R&B singer Charles Brown and attended the Westlake School of Music in Los Angeles after relocating to the city in 1954.

Career at Capitol Records

Johnson’s career as a full-time musician blossomed in Los Angeles, where he became a sought-after session player. Recruited for Capitol Records in the mid-1950s, he backed a vast array of midcentury greats, including B.B. King, Johnny Otis, Peggy Lee, Nat “King” Cole, Glen Gray, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, and Marvin Gaye. He was also a member of The Wrecking Crew, a group of Los Angeles-based session musicians who were the first pick for producers and record executives of the era.

Johnson is inextricably linked to Henry Mancini’s The Pink Panther Theme. Mancini penned the tune specifically for Johnson, whose nimble style and warm, full tone had gained significant acclaim. The track featured Johnson’s saxophone solo leading the melody before a full horn section joined in, accompanying Peter Sellers’ comedic performance as Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Reflecting on his process, Johnson once said, You don’t improve your jazz in the studio. You’re in the studio because of the jazz and blues that you know. My solos always seemed to bring the record up another notch.

Beyond his film work, Johnson performed with jazz and swing bands, joined the studio orchestra for The Merv Griffin Show, toured with the Gene Harris Superband, and recorded for labels such as Sheffield Lab and Concord Records. Tribute poured in from across the industry following the news of his death. Bob Corritore, a harmonica player and record producer, wrote on Facebook, I just heard that we lost saxophone master Plas Johnson. Best known for his famous sax part on the Pink Panther theme, his mid 1950s sides were raw, rockin' jump blues instrumentals!