Plas Johnson facts for kids

Plas John Johnson Jr. (born July 21, 1931 – died July 15, 2026) was a very talented American musician. He was best known for playing the tenor saxophone. You might recognize his famous saxophone solo in Henry Mancini's "The Pink Panther Theme". Plas Johnson also played other instruments like the alto and baritone saxophone, as well as flutes and clarinets. He was a key part of many popular songs and movie soundtracks.

The Musical Journey of Plas Johnson

Early Life and Instruments

Plas John Johnson Jr. was born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, United States. This was on July 21, 1931. He grew up singing with his family's music group. His father, who was also a saxophonist, bought him a soprano saxophone. Plas mostly taught himself how to play. He quickly learned to play the alto and then the tenor saxophone.

Starting His Career

In the late 1940s, Plas and his brother Ray, who played piano, made their first recordings. They were known as the Johnson Brothers in New Orleans. Plas first went on tour with the R&B singer Charles Brown in 1951. After serving in the army, Plas and Ray moved to Los Angeles in 1954. There, Plas became a full-time studio musician. This meant he played instruments for many other artists' recordings. He played for famous musicians like B.B. King and Johnny Otis. He also played for many other R&B performers.

A Busy Studio Musician

Plas Johnson became a very sought-after musician. He was hired by Capitol Records in the mid-1950s. He played on countless records for stars like Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, and Frank Sinatra. For nearly twenty years, he was one of the busiest studio musicians. He often played in two recording sessions every day! He played all kinds of music. This included movie soundtracks, Les Baxter's unique "exotica" albums, and rock and roll songs. He played for artists like Ricky Nelson and Bobby Vee. He also played on many Beach Boys records.

The Wrecking Crew and Johnny Beecher

Plas Johnson was an important member of a group of studio musicians called The Wrecking Crew. These musicians played on countless hit songs without always being famous themselves. You can learn more about their work in the 2008 documentary film, The Wrecking Crew (2008 film). Sometimes, Plas recorded music under a different name, Johnny Beecher. He did this to avoid any problems with his music contracts.

The Pink Panther Theme

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Plas was a regular member of Henry Mancini's studio orchestra. In 1963, he recorded his most famous solo. This was for "The Pink Panther Theme". Henry Mancini wrote this song with Plas Johnson's saxophone sound in mind. Plas remembered the recording session: "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." This shows how special his performance was!

Later Career and Legacy

In 1970, Plas joined the studio band for Merv Griffin Show, a popular TV show. He also played with many jazz and swing bands. He recorded for labels like Concord and toured with groups like the Gene Harris Superband. He performed at many jazz festivals throughout his life.

Plas Johnson passed away in Granada Hills, California, on July 15, 2026. He was just six days shy of his 95th birthday. His amazing saxophone playing left a lasting mark on music history.

A Rich Musical Legacy

Plas Johnson recorded many albums as a band leader. He also played on hundreds of songs for other artists. His saxophone can be heard on recordings by a huge variety of musicians. These include Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, and Steely Dan. His contributions helped shape the sound of popular music for decades.