Rolling Stone41%
Plas Johnson, Saxophonist Behind 'Pink Panther Theme,' Dead at 94 10%
By Emily Zemler11%
7/22/2026, 10:59:41 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 12 faulty reasoning types, including Biased Writer Voice, Halo Effect, and Representativeness Heuristic, with Framing Effect as the most egregious example at 14.5% saturation with 61 hits. Analysis detected 326 faulty-reasoning hits from 422 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 27.3% and a BS Rank of 10% (17,930 of 19,841 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 90.40% of the article peer group.
American jazz saxophonist Plas Johnson, known for recording with artists like Frank Sinatra and B.B.
King, died last week at 94.
Johnson’s death was reported in his Louisiana hometown newspaper, the *Donaldsonville Chief*, and dated July 15.
No cause of death was given.
Johnson, who hailed from Donaldsonville, Louisiana, was most famous for his contribution to the “The Pink Panther Theme,” which he recorded in 1963 alongside composer Henry Mancini as part of the soundtrack for Blake Edwards' comedy film *The Pink Panther*.
The song won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score at the 37th Academy Awards.
“We only did two takes, I think,” Johnson once said of the song, according to the *Donaldsonville Chief*.
“When we finished, everyone applauded, even the string players.”
Throughout his career, Johnson performed on numerous songs, including recordings for the Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Otis, Ella Fitzgerald, Marvin Gaye, and Nat King Cole.
Born on July 21, 1931 in Donaldsonville, Johnson began his musical career singing with his family.
His father later bought him a saxophone and he made his recording debut in 1950 alongside his brother Ray for DeLuxe Records.
He also toured with singer and pianist Charles Brown.
Johnson moved to Los Angeles in 1954 after his Army service, where he became a prolific session musician.
He was a regular in Mancini’s orchestra in the 1950s and 1960s, and began playing in Merv Griffin’s studio band on the *Merv Griffin Show* in 1970.
He was well regarded for his saxphone solos, which often elevated a piece.
“My solos always seemed to bring the record up another notch,” Johnson said.
“I could do that in eight bars, I could do that in twelve bars, and I was used to maybe do fills behind the vocalist after that.
As a solo artist, Johnson released several albums and compilations.
In 1959 he released *This Must Be the Plas!
* via Capital Records and in 1975 he shared *The Blues* on Concord Jazz, both well received by critics and fans.
Johnson's work was documented in 2008 film *The Wrecking Crew*, a documentary about session musicians working in Los Angeles in the 1960s and 1970s directed by Denny Tedesco.
As the film depicts, he left an indelible mark on the music landscape, which was often only celebrated behind the scenes.
Johnson will be remembered both for his famous contributions, but also for the many he made that have largely gone unrecognized.
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