Composer James Last Dies: King Of Easy Listening Was 86-Years-Old

Composer James Last died on June 9 at 86-years-old in Florida. The cause of death is currently unknown. Last was battling a short illness at the time of his passing. He is survived by his wife, Christine Grundner, and his children, Caterina and Ronald, from a previous marriage to Waltraud Last.

Last’s manager gave a statement on Wednesday.

“Mr. Last passed away yesterday in Florida, peacefully and in the presence of his family. In him, the world loses a unique ambassador whose expressive and all-encompassing language was music. We bid farewell to the man, friend and visionary, who by his impressive strength and openness, his professionalism, modesty and love of life served as a role model and as an inspiration for many generations worldwide.”

The King of Easy Listening was the nickname given to the German composer. James Last, during his career, recorded over 200 albums and went on to sell over 100 million records of his music.

Born in Germany as Hans Last on April 17, 1929, Last showed at a very young age that music was going to be his talent. He was only 15-years-old when he played his first gig. As Last became more familiar with different styles of music, he came into his own while studying and playing jazz. During World War II, American soldiers would first hear Last’s smooth jazz sound while he toured the European club scene.

James Last recorded his first album, Tricks in Rhythm, in 1959. Mainstream success would finally come in 1965 with a name change for the great composer. James Last was able to establish his signature sound on his 1965 album titled Non Stop Dancing.

The film American Gigolo would give Last his biggest hit. Last’s version of “The Seduction,” composed by Giorgio Moroder, was the theme song for American Gigolo. “The Seduction” would find success on the Billboard Top 100 by peaking at number 28. American Gigolo would not be the last movie for the composer.

James Last had a fan in Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino would use Last’s “Einsamer Hirte” in Kill Bill: Volume 1.

Last found great success as a recording artist, but he would establish himself as a man who would tirelessly travel the globe touring. He has played at London’s Royal Albert Hall 90 times, giving him the distinction of playing there more times than any other act. His final two concerts were in the country of his birth, Germany, on March 31 and April 1 of this year.

RIP #JamesLast he lived a great life and will live on in his music. Our fave ‘Church Bells At Christmas Time’ spellbinding. Bless him. N&N

— N. N. Light (@NNP_W_Light) June 12, 2015