James Last, the German-born big-band leader and composer, has died in Florida, aged 86.
His manager said Last passed away in his home “peacefully and in the presence of his family” on Tuesday after battling an illness, reports the BBC.
He was known for performing upbeat, easy-listening versions of pop hits with his big band. The critics derided him during his during his music career, which spanned over five decades, but consumers loved his music. Last released more than 200 albums and sold 80 million records worldwide
Born Hans Last in Bremen, Germany, in 1929, he became a musician in dance bands after the war. His career took off in the 1960s when he began making instrumental tracks under the name James Last and His Orchestra.
In March, he appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall for his final concerts.
“In him, the world loses a unique ambassador whose expressive and all-encompassing language was music,” his manager said on Wednesday.
[BBC]
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Write to Helen Regan at helen.regan@timeasia.com