Last post for James, who gave classical music to the masses
Last, who sold more than 80 million records worldwide, was best known for pop hits in a big band style.
He was credited with making classical music palatable to the masses and nicknamed the Emperor of Elevator Music.
His signature hits included ‘Biscaya’ and ‘Games That Lovers Play’ and ‘In Ireland’, and he also composed the theme tune to The Sunday Game.
His trademark “happy sound” included a strong dance beat, crowd noise and laughter blended into the tunes. His first album, entitled Non Stop Dancing, was released in 1965.
Last released more than 200 albums. He released albums devoted to the music of Abba, Motown, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bach and Vivaldi, among others.
Born in the northern German city of Bremen, Last was originally a piano player and after World War Two he began a musical career that lasted six decades.
Popular around the world, he appeared at London’s Royal Albert Hall earlier this year.
In a 1976 interview with the NME, Last said of his popularity: “People know what James Last is playing. That’s the style. And there are so many bands playing in the world with no style.
“I think we’re making something original from this music. And our sound is coming from the arrangements. We have our own style in music, it must be, because otherwise I don’t think it’d be so successful.
Last “lived for music and wrote musical history”, said Semmel Concerts, adding he was the most successful ever German band leader.
”In him, the world loses a unique ambassador whose strong and all-embracing language was music,” it added.
Last died in the presence of his family in Florida on Tuesday after a short illness, the firm said. A memorial service will take place in Hamburg, probably in the coming weeks.
He is survived by his second wife Christine, and his children Ronald and Caterina from his first marriage.
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