Plas Johnson has sadly passed away at the age of 94. He's best known for being the saxophonist behind the Pink Panther theme song. Plas passed away on Wednesday, July 15, in the comfort of his own home in Los Angeles.
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The saxophonist's children, Eric Johnson and Stephanie Oliver, confirmed the news of his death when speaking with The New York Times. Meanwhile, Eric and Stephanie said Plas had recently performed for an audience at his retirement community.
Since the news of Plas's passing, Bob Corritore, a famed Harmonica player and record producer, has released a tribute to Plas via Facebook.
"I just heard that we lost saxophone master Plas Johnson,"
Bob wrote. "Best known for his famous sax part on the Pink Panther theme, his mid 1950s sides were raw, rockin' jump blues instrumentals!"Bob's tribute continued by recalling a meeting between the two musicians.
"The one time that I met him and tried to talk to him about those sides, which I find to be excellent, he dismissed them as primitive and beneath the Jazz eloquence that he later achieved. He was blessed with a warm, full tone and beautiful phrasing that he carried with him his whole life. A musician's musician."
Plas' death came just one week before his 95th birthday.
Tributes Pour in for Plas Johnson on Social Media
With news of Plas's death now public, tributes have begun to pour in via social media.
"Plas was an LA fixture in studios and tv. And the band was LA's studio and TV heavy hitters from the 50s into the 80s," one user wrote on X. "Think I saw Jerome Richardson, Med Flory, Loper, the Candolis, Johnny Audino, Frankie Capp. Basically the Tonight Show orchestra from 60s - 80s."
"RIP to a true legend," another user posted in the comments section of a news report regarding Plas's passing.
On Instagram, a user noted that 88.1FM will honor Plas on the air on Tuesday, July 28.
"At The Lighthouse, with Art Hillery and Fritz Wise. 88.1 FM will honor Plas next Tuesday on their air," the user wrote.
Plas may be known for his work on the Pink Panther theme song, but he was a widely respected jazz musician. His death will be mourned by the entire music industry. At this time, no details regarding his funeral have been made public.
