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1963 – “The Pink Panther Theme” – Henry Mancini – 🎷 Plas Johnson, ✍️ Henry Mancini, 🎛️ Henry Mancini

Era uma Voz...

Plas Johnson — de seu nome completo Plas John Johnson Jr. — nasceu a 21 de julho de 1931 em Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Estados Unidos.

É conhecido por ter tocado o inesquecível solo de saxofone tenor de “The Pink Panther Theme”, de Henry Mancini em 1963, uma das melodias mais reconhecíveis da história do cinema. Foi também um importante músico de jazz, rhythm and blues e de estúdio, participando ao longo de décadas em inúmeras gravações para discos, cinema e televisão.

Ainda criança, com apenas quatro anos, começou por cantar harmonias com os irmãos e só mais tarde aprenderia saxofone com o pai, numa família onde a música fazia parte do quotidiano. O irmão Ray seguiu o piano, a Irmã Gwen o canto e, depois do seu serviço militar, os três acabariam por se mudar para Los Angeles, quando Plas tinha cerca de 22 anos.

Começou muito jovem a tocar profissionalmente e acabaria por dominar todo o naipe de saxofones, além de flauta, flautim e clarinete. Em Los Angeles entrou rapidamente no circuito de gravações, trabalhando com artistas como Charles Brown e Johnny Otis e, mais tarde, com nomes como Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King e Etta James, tornando-se um dos músicos de estúdio mais requisitados da cidade.

Gravou ainda cerca de 14 álbuns como líder, vindo a falecer a 15 de julho de 2026, em Granada Hills, Los Angeles, aos 94 anos. Casou-se duas vezes e deixou seis filhos, oito netos, doze bisnetos e... uma Pantera Cor-de-Rosa que nunca nos abandonará.

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EN 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Once Upon a Voice...

Plas Johnson, whose full name was Plas John Johnson Jr., was born on July 21, 1931, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, USA.

He is best known for performing the unforgettable tenor saxophone solo on Henry Mancini’s "The Pink Panther Theme" in 1963, one of the most recognizable melodies in film history. He was also a highly respected jazz, rhythm & blues, and studio musician, contributing over several decades to countless recordings for albums, films, and television productions.

As a child, at just four years old, he began singing harmonies with his siblings Ray and Gwen. Only later did he learn to play the saxophone from his father, in a family where music was part of everyday life. Ray pursued the piano, Gwen became a singer, and after military service, the three eventually moved to Los Angeles, when Plas was around 22 years old.

He began performing professionally at a young age and went on to master the entire saxophone family, as well as the flute, piccolo, and clarinet. After arriving in Los Angeles, he quickly became part of the recording scene, working with artists such as Charles Brown and Johnny Otis, and later with legends including Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King, and Etta James, becoming one of the most sought-after studio musicians in the city.

Johnson also recorded around 14 albums as a bandleader. He passed away on July 15, 2026, in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, at the age of 94.

He was married twice and is survived by six children, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and... a Pink Panther that will never leave us. 🩷🎷

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DE 🇩🇪🇦🇹🇨🇭🇳🇱🇱🇺

Es war einmal eine Stimme...

Plas Johnson, mit vollem Namen Plas John Johnson Jr., wurde am 21. Juli 1931 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, USA, geboren.

Bekannt wurde er vor allem durch das unvergessliche Tenorsaxophon-Solo in Henry Mancinis „The Pink Panther Theme“ aus dem Jahr 1963, einer der bekanntesten Filmmelodien aller Zeiten. Darüber hinaus war er ein bedeutender Jazz-, Rhythm-and-Blues- und Studiomusiker, der über Jahrzehnte hinweg an zahllosen Aufnahmen für Schallplatten, Film und Fernsehen mitwirkte.

Bereits im Alter von vier Jahren begann er gemeinsam mit seinen Geschwistern Ray und Gwen mehrstimmig zu singen. Erst später lernte er von seinem Vater Saxophon spielen. Musik gehörte in seiner Familie ganz selbstverständlich zum Alltag. Ray entschied sich für das Klavier, Gwen für den Gesang, und nach dem Militärdienst zog die Familie schließlich nach Los Angeles, als Plas etwa 22 Jahre alt war.

Schon in jungen Jahren spielte er professionell und beherrschte schließlich die gesamte Saxophonfamilie sowie Flöte, Piccoloflöte und Klarinette. In Los Angeles wurde er rasch Teil der Studioszene und arbeitete zunächst mit Künstlern wie Charles Brown und Johnny Otis, später mit Legenden wie Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, B.B. King und Etta James. Er wurde zu einem der gefragtesten Studiomusiker der Stadt.

Als Bandleader veröffentlichte er zudem rund 14 eigene Alben. Plas Johnson verstarb am 15. Juli 2026 in Granada Hills, Los Angeles, im Alter von 94 Jahren.

Er war zweimal verheiratet und hinterließ sechs Kinder, acht Enkelkinder, zwölf Urenkelkinder und ... einen Rosaroten Panther, der uns niemals verlassen wird. 🩷🎷

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Plas Johnson / Drum Stuff (1956)

This Must Be the Plas (1959)

Mood for the Blues (1961)

The Blues (1975)

Positively (1976)

L.A. ’55 with the Grease Patrol (1983)

On the Trail! (com Totti Bergh, 1993)

Hot, Blue and Saxy (1992)

Evening Delight (1999)

Christmas in Hollywood (com Ernie Andrews, 2000)

Keep That Groove Going! (com Red Holloway, 2001)

All Blues (com Ernie Watts, 2008)