Your Source for NPR News & Music

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

We are operating on low power due to some issues at our transmitter site. Our engineering staff is working on the issue.

ATC/WESaturday/WESunday

Plas Johnson, the saxophone behind 'The Pink Panther,' dies at 94

NPR | By Zephyr Weinreich,

Jason Fuller, Janaya Williams

Published July 22, 2026 at 1:58 PM MDT

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Plas Johnson, the saxophonist behind "The Pink Panther Theme," has died at 94. We remember the Hollywood session legend whose playing shaped decades of music.