Plas Johnson: key obituary facts
Is Plas Johnson dead? Yes. Plas Johnson died on July 15, 2026, at age 94.
Cause of death: Plas Johnson's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Plas Johnson known for?
He was an American musician.
More about Plas Johnson
Born: 21 July 1931.
Place of birth: Donaldsonville.
Gender: male.
Occupation: jazz musician, saxophonist, musician.
Nationality: United States.
Genres: Jazz.
Instruments: Saxophone, piccolo, flute, clarinet.
Plas Johnson, the American soul-jazz saxophonist widely known for his tenor saxophone solo on Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme,” died on July 15, 2026.
He was 94. Born Plas John Johnson Jr.
on July 21, 1931, in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Johnson also played alto and baritone saxophone, along with flute and clarinet. He developed his early musicianship in a family group, later recording with his brother Ray as the Johnson Brothers in New Orleans before touring with R&B singer Charles Brown in 1951. After Army service, he became a sought-after session player and recorded with artists including Peggy Lee, Nat “King” Cole, Glen Gray, and Frank Sinatra.