Plas Johnson was an American soul-jazz and hard bop tenor saxophonist who gained widespread recognition as the tenor saxophone soloist on Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme.” Johnson passed away on July 15, 2026, at the age of 94, in Granada Hills, California.
Plas Johnson Biography
| Full Name | Plas John Johnson Jr. |
| Nickname | Plas Johnson |
| Profession | Musician, Saxophonist |
| Date of Birth | 21 July 1931 |
| Age | 94 years old (At the time of death in July 2026) |
| Birth Place | Donaldsonville, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education Qualification | Not publicly known |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Date of Death | 15 July 2026 |
| Place of Death | Granda Hill, Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of Death | Natural |
Plas Johnson Age
Plas Johnson (Plas John Jonsons Jr.) was born on 21 July 1931 in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, United States. He was 94 years old at the time of his death in July 2026, and his zodiac sign was Cancer.
Plas Johnson’s Wife | Children
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Elizabeth Blinkenberg Carol Johnosn |
| Spouse/wife | Elizabeth Jonson (ex-wife) Carol Johnsno (until his death in 2026) |
| Children | Form first marriage – Eric, Stephaine (Oliver), and Philip Nunn Form second marriage – Cheryl Johnson, David Johnson, and Denise Hurley. |
Plas Johnson Family
| Father’s Name | Plas John Jonson Sr. |
| Mother’s Name | Grace Johnson |
| Brother’s Name | Ray Johnson |
| Sister’s Name | Gwen Johnson |
Career
| In Teens | He formed the Johnsons Brothers’ Combo with his brother Ray |
| 1951 | Left New Orleans to tour with the Chales Bronw Blues Band |
| 1954 | Moved permanently to Los Angeles |
| Late 1950s | Became a core studio session player for Capital Records |
| 1958 | Performed on the Soundtrack for Orson Welles’ film “Touch of Evil.” |
| 1963 | Recorded his iconic, smoky tenor saxophone for Henrry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme” |
| 1970 | Joined the studio band for The Merv Griffin Show |
| 2004 to 2006 | Re-recorded his signature tune for Ultimate Mancini and the Steve Martin Pink Panther Remake |
Plas Johnson Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 183 cm In meters – 1.83 m In feet & inches – 6’0” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 75 kg In pounds – 167 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Bown |
Plas Johnson Net Worth
At the time of his death, American Saxophonist Plas Johnson had an estimated net worth between $1 million and $5 million, as of July 2026. His wealth primarily comes from his successful career as a Saxophonist.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $1 million to $5 million (at the time of death in July 2026) |
| Real Estate | A home in Los Angeles, |
| Income sources | Work is bands as saxophonist, and other ventures |
Some Interesting Facts About Plas Johnson
- Plas Johnson was born and raised in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to Plas Johnson Sr. and Grace Johnson.
- He had an older brother, Ray Johnson, who was a pianist/singer, and a sister named Gwen.
- He sang with his family’s group until his saxophonist father bought him a saxophone.
- He and his brother Ray first recorded as the Johnson Brothers in New Orleans in the late 1940s.
- After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he and his brother moved to Los Angeles in 1954.
- In the mid-1950s, Johnny Otis and executive Dave Cavanaugh recruited him for Capitol Records.
- He played in many of the Beach Boys’ records and was an integral part of a number of instrumental groups.
- In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he was a regular member of Henry Mancini’s studio orchestra.
- In 1969, T-Bone Walker introduced Harmonica Slim to the record producer Bob Thiele.
- He joined the studio band for the Merv Griffen Show in 1970 and also played with a number of jazz and swing bands.
- He later recorded for the Concord label and worked with the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut.
- In 1990, Plas Johnson toured with the Gene Harris Superband.
- Plas Johnson died on 15 July 2026, six days shy of his 95th birthday, in Granada Hills, California.
FAQ:
How old was Plas Johnson?
Plas Johnson was 94 years old at the time of death in July 2026.
What was Plas Johnson’s net worth?
As of July 2026, Plas Johnson’s net worth was between $1 million and $5 million.
What happened to Plas Johnson?
Plas Johnson died on 15 July 2026, at age 94.
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