Plas Johnson, legendary saxophonist of The Pink Panther theme, dies at 94

The renowned American saxophonist Plas Johnson, famous for performing the unforgettable saxophone solo of the Pink Panther theme song, passed away on July 15 at the age of 94, as reported by the Los Angeles radio station KKJZ.

Johnson left an indelible mark on music history as one of the most respected session musicians in the United States. Throughout his career, he collaborated with major industry figures, including Frank Sinatra, Nat “King” Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand, establishing himself as a benchmark in jazz, rhythm and blues, and popular music.

The son of a professional saxophonist, he began his career performing jump blues and R&B, before becoming one of the most sought-after figures for studio recordings and live performances.

His most iconic performance was the unforgettable saxophone solo in “The Pink Panther Theme”, composed by Henry Mancini for the film The Pink Panther (1963), starring Peter Sellers in the role of Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The melody became a cinema classic and one of the most recognized instrumental pieces of all time.

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Johnson was also part of The Wrecking Crew, the prestigious collective of Los Angeles session musicians who participated in hundreds of hit records during the 1960s and 1970s.

In the documentary The Wrecking Crew (2008), the saxophonist revealed that, on many occasions, the work of session musicians went uncredited and even unpaid. He explained that the names of these performers were often omitted from records to avoid affecting the image of the main bands or artists.

Throughout his career, Plas Johnson received multiple awards, including a Grammy Award, and is remembered as one of the most influential and talented saxophonists of his generation. His legacy lives on in countless recordings that marked the history of music and film.