Great Players Mr. Plas Johnson (R.I.P.)

[John Laughter]

Just a FEW of his recordings. If you see any errors let me know. If you have songs to add please do so;

CONFIDENTIAL-SONNY KNIGHT
PLAS JOHNSON (solo) TENOR intro followed by SAX SECTION.

EDDIE MY LOVE-TEEN QUEENS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR
(per Plas Johnson)JEWELL GRANT - BARITONE and maybe JACKIE KELSO – ALTO.

IT ISN’T RIGHT-THE PLATTERS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE-THE CADETS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

BONY MORONIE-LARRY WILLIAMS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR
JEWEL GRANT (per STUART COLMAN) BARITONE

HE’S MINE-THE PLATTERS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

I’M WALKING-RICKY NELSON
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

RAUNCHY-ERNIE FREEMAN
PLAS JOHNSON - ALTO

SEND FOR ME-NAT KING COLE
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

BONY MORONIE-LARRY WILLIAMS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

CERVEZA-BOOTS BROWN
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

CHA HUA HUA-PETS
PLAS JOHNSON - SAX SECTION with TENOR SOLO

CHANSON D’ AMOUR (SONG OF LOVE)-ART & DOTTY TODD
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

FOR YOUR LOVE-ED TOWNSEND
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

JENNIE LEE-JAN & ARNIE
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

RAMROD-DUANE EDDY
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

APPLE BLOSSOM TIME-TAB HUNTER
PLAS JOHNSON - SAX SECTION with TENOR solo.

BABY TALK-JAN & DEAN
PLAS JOHNSON (solo) TENOR
? BARITONE

IN THE MOOD-ERNIE FIELDS ORCHESTRA
PLAS JOHNSON TENOR and BARITONE
According to Mr. Johnson there was no other sax player in that session so he apparently overdubbed the bari part; "Yeah, sounds like me". Plas Johnson, 10/8/2011

KOOKIE, KOOKIE, LEND ME YOUR COMB-EDD BYRNES & CONNIE STEVENSS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

PETER GUNN-RAY ANTHONY
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR(per telephone conversation with Ray Anthony)

PRETTY GIRLS EVERYWHERE-EUGENE CHURCH
PLAS JOHNSON - BARITONE

PRIMROSE LANE-JERRY WALLACE
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

SOME KIND-A EARTHQUAKE-DUANE EDDY
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

THE WONDER OF YOU-RAY PETERSON
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

COUNTRY BOY-FATS DOMINO
PLAS JOHNSON (SOLO) TENOR

FOOT STOMPING-PART 1 - THE FLARES
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY-BOBBY DARIN
PLAS JOHNSON and NINO TEMPO - SAX SECTION

LIMBO ROCK-CHAMPS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR
“Hi John,

I saw that Jimmy Seals is listed as the sax player on “Limbo Rock” by the Champs. It is in fact Plas Johnson, who also plays flute on the record. From this session on (on November 16, 1961), most of the Champs tracks were recorded by session musicians (members of the Wrecking Crew), like Tommy Tedesco, Jackie Kelso, Bill Pitman, Howard Roberts and Earl Palmer. I have seen some of the session contracts of the later Champs sessions, including the one for the “Limbo Rock”/“Tequila Twist” session”.

Kind regards,
Dik de Heer
8/19/16

SURFER’S STOMP-THE MARKETTS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

This Hollywood, California-based instrumental group rose to prominence during the surfing craze of the early 60s. Ben Benay (guitar), Mike Henderson (saxophone), Ray Pohlman (bass), Gene Pello (drums) and Richard Hobriaco, then Tom Hensey (keyboards). They had two hits in 1962 with “Surfer’s Stomp’ and Balboa Blue” which featured Plas Johnson, before scoring a million-seller the following year with the pulsating “Out Of Limits.” They secured another Top 20 entry in 1966 with the then-popular “Batman Theme.” By the 70s, Benay was established in Los Angeles session circles. Pohlman pursued a similar career, working with, among others, Emmylou Harris, while Hensey became Neil Diamond’s keyboard player.

However;
http://www.onlinedrummer.com/article...wrecking-crew/


Some members of The Wrecking Crew struggled with it, however. Plas Johnson recalls a disheartening situation with “Surfer’s Stomp” by The Marketts;

“I think it’s a little different when you’re a horn player and you’re asked to play the introduction, and play the first chorus … and play the first solo, and then play the fade on the end. And the damn thing comes out, and it doesn’t have your name on it. Worse than not getting the money is to have … to have played on a hit record which sold a million copies, and not even have your name on it. And they go dig some white kids up out of high school and put them on the road and call them the name.” – Plas Johnson

PINK PANTHER THEME-HENRY MANCINI
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

MY SPECIAL ANGEL-VOGUES
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

WHAT CAN I SAY-BOZ SCAGGS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

According to Mr. Johnson's ladyfriend (Gaye in L.A.), he is doing well. He still plays in a "rehearsal band" once in a while but no longer playing the long gigs.

What an inspiration he was (and still is) to so many of us who started playing back in the day when a sax solo or sax section was featured on so many Top 100 recordings of all styles of music.

 

[John Laughter]

Thanks Greg. Yes indeed Mr. Johnson is a fine person in all respects. He (mostly through Gaye via emails and cell) has always been very helpful. And very pleased that so many players respect what he has done and enjoy his style!

 

[Jazzaferri]

. Pink Panther was a big influence on me when I was a teen. I love his sound and his musicianship

 

[Woodpad]

He was a real performer and passed away 15 July 2026.

 

[Joe from New Orleans]

Just a FEW of his recordings. If you see any errors let me know. If you have songs to add please do so;

CONFIDENTIAL-SONNY KNIGHT
PLAS JOHNSON (solo) TENOR intro followed by SAX SECTION.

EDDIE MY LOVE-TEEN QUEENS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR
(per Plas Johnson)JEWELL GRANT - BARITONE and maybe JACKIE KELSO – ALTO.

IT ISN’T RIGHT-THE PLATTERS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

STRANDED IN THE JUNGLE-THE CADETS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

BONY MORONIE-LARRY WILLIAMS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR
JEWEL GRANT (per STUART COLMAN) BARITONE

HE’S MINE-THE PLATTERS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

I’M WALKING-RICKY NELSON
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

RAUNCHY-ERNIE FREEMAN
PLAS JOHNSON - ALTO

SEND FOR ME-NAT KING COLE
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

BONY MORONIE-LARRY WILLIAMS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

CERVEZA-BOOTS BROWN
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

CHA HUA HUA-PETS
PLAS JOHNSON - SAX SECTION with TENOR SOLO

CHANSON D’ AMOUR (SONG OF LOVE)-ART & DOTTY TODD
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

FOR YOUR LOVE-ED TOWNSEND
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

JENNIE LEE-JAN & ARNIE
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

RAMROD-DUANE EDDY
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

APPLE BLOSSOM TIME-TAB HUNTER
PLAS JOHNSON - SAX SECTION with TENOR solo.

BABY TALK-JAN & DEAN
PLAS JOHNSON (solo) TENOR
? BARITONE

IN THE MOOD-ERNIE FIELDS ORCHESTRA
PLAS JOHNSON TENOR and BARITONE
According to Mr. Johnson there was no other sax player in that session so he apparently overdubbed the bari part; "Yeah, sounds like me". Plas Johnson, 10/8/2011

KOOKIE, KOOKIE, LEND ME YOUR COMB-EDD BYRNES & CONNIE STEVENSS
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

PETER GUNN-RAY ANTHONY
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR(per telephone conversation with Ray Anthony)

PRETTY GIRLS EVERYWHERE-EUGENE CHURCH
PLAS JOHNSON - BARITONE

PRIMROSE LANE-JERRY WALLACE
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

SOME KIND-A EARTHQUAKE-DUANE EDDY
PLAS JOHNSON – TENOR

THE WONDER OF YOU-RAY PETERSON
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

COUNTRY BOY-FATS DOMINO
PLAS JOHNSON (SOLO) TENOR

FOOT STOMPING-PART 1 - THE FLARES
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

YOU MUST HAVE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL BABY-BOBBY DARIN
PLAS JOHNSON and NINO TEMPO - SAX SECTION

LIMBO ROCK-CHAMPS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR
“Hi John,

I saw that Jimmy Seals is listed as the sax player on “Limbo Rock” by the Champs. It is in fact Plas Johnson, who also plays flute on the record. From this session on (on November 16, 1961), most of the Champs tracks were recorded by session musicians (members of the Wrecking Crew), like Tommy Tedesco, Jackie Kelso, Bill Pitman, Howard Roberts and Earl Palmer. I have seen some of the session contracts of the later Champs sessions, including the one for the “Limbo Rock”/“Tequila Twist” session”.

Kind regards,
Dik de Heer
8/19/16

SURFER’S STOMP-THE MARKETTS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

This Hollywood, California-based instrumental group rose to prominence during the surfing craze of the early 60s. Ben Benay (guitar), Mike Henderson (saxophone), Ray Pohlman (bass), Gene Pello (drums) and Richard Hobriaco, then Tom Hensey (keyboards). They had two hits in 1962 with “Surfer’s Stomp’ and Balboa Blue” which featured Plas Johnson, before scoring a million-seller the following year with the pulsating “Out Of Limits.” They secured another Top 20 entry in 1966 with the then-popular “Batman Theme.” By the 70s, Benay was established in Los Angeles session circles. Pohlman pursued a similar career, working with, among others, Emmylou Harris, while Hensey became Neil Diamond’s keyboard player.

However;
http://www.onlinedrummer.com/article...wrecking-crew/


Some members of The Wrecking Crew struggled with it, however. Plas Johnson recalls a disheartening situation with “Surfer’s Stomp” by The Marketts;

“I think it’s a little different when you’re a horn player and you’re asked to play the introduction, and play the first chorus … and play the first solo, and then play the fade on the end. And the damn thing comes out, and it doesn’t have your name on it. Worse than not getting the money is to have … to have played on a hit record which sold a million copies, and not even have your name on it. And they go dig some white kids up out of high school and put them on the road and call them the name.” – Plas Johnson

PINK PANTHER THEME-HENRY MANCINI
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

MY SPECIAL ANGEL-VOGUES
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

WHAT CAN I SAY-BOZ SCAGGS
PLAS JOHNSON - TENOR

According to Mr. Johnson's ladyfriend (Gaye in L.A.), he is doing well. He still plays in a "rehearsal band" once in a while but no longer playing the long gigs.

What an inspiration he was (and still is) to so many of us who started playing back in the day when a sax solo or sax section was featured on so many Top 100 recordings of all styles of music.

Lest we forget, Screamin' Jay Hawkins' Constipation Blues ( or at least on that LP).

 

[LostCircuits]

I saw the announcement on one of the facebook groups but I was in the mountains with just enough signal to get occasional notifications. I always found it fascinating that he played bari reeds on tenor MPCs

 

[skeller047]

I always found it fascinating that he played bari reeds on tenor MPCs

Not sure a Berg 160 can be called a tenor mouthpiece. I mean, it is, and yet it is beyond what us mere mortals can even hope to approach.

He used #1.5 bari reeds; Ricos then later in life Plasticovers.

He will be missed.

 

[LostCircuits]

Not sure a Berg 160 can be called a tenor mouthpiece. I mean, it is, and yet it is beyond what us mere mortals can even hope to approach.

He used #1.5 bari reeds; Ricos then later in life Plasticovers.

He will be missed.

Yes and no, Ron Coelho made a few pieces that were insanely open. I gave one (IIRC 0.135away to saxophonestrange at the antipodes and another one 0.160 to FrozenFingers before he got into the hit and run, while trying to assist another motorist after an accident). I played both and they were workouts but nowhere near what I expected.

 

[skeller047]

Yes and no, Ron Coelho made a few pieces that were insanely open. I gave one (IIRC 0.135away to saxophonestrange at the antipodes and another one 0.160 to FrozenFingers before he got into the hit and run, while trying to assist another motorist after an accident). I played both and they were workouts but nowhere near what I expected.

Yeah, I once tested a 0.145 Don Menza piece that a colleague used as his regular mouthpiece. It wasn’t horrible, and was remakably easy to play. It was a thing with those LA guys of the ‘70s and ‘80s - Menza, Pete Christlieb, Ernie Watts, and of course, Plas.

Plus a lot of standard-issue unknown showroom players in Nevada (I was one). And elsewhere. I played a 0.125 piece in the ‘80s. I have since come to a different understanding of what works well.

 

[thomsax]

Very sad. A saxophonist that most saxplayers are familiar with. I'm clearing out most of former saxlife but I kept the interview Thomas Erdmann (Saxophone Journal, Jan/Feb 2005) did with Plas Johnson.

Steve Douglas told us in his video "Rock and Roll Saxophone", that when he was booked to a session together with Plas Johnsson, he made sure that he was close to Plas so he could see his fingers and listen while they were playing. Johnson was a big inspiration for many saxophonists. He was "The Man".

To play baritone reeds on a tenor mouthpiece? The first thing is; can the mouthpiece handle a baritone reed? It's bigger (longer, wider and thicker) compared to a tenor reed. My old Berg Larsen 130/0 M and Rovner Deep-V D40 .130" can hold a bari reed but on a Dukoff LD 10 (.135") tenor mouthpiece the baritone reed was not so good.

 

[Greg Strange]

R.I.P. Mr. Johnson.

I would think Plas Johnson would have to be one of the most recorded saxophonist / woodwind instrument players of all time. From "The Purple People Eater" to "Pink Panther" to Steely Dan including the piccolo part on "Rockin' Robin". I have the two DVD set of the documentary "The Wrecking Crew" by Tommy Tedesco's son Denny. The second disc includes extended interviews with various Wrecking Crew members including Plas Johnson. Also the interview Thomas refers to in Saxophone Journal is also very good...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu0W7X16j3Q&list=RDpu0W7X16j3Q&start_radio=1


Greg S.

 

[dexdex]

He and Mancini’s Panther were essential in my crush for the saxophone as a kid. It took me 2 other decades to discover HE was THAT sound. His name was nowhere, and a longtime bandmate told me about him.

And for a couple of more decades, I thought that those NOT sounding like him on tenor saxophone hadn’t yet achieved the right level. Thinking of Lester, Stan, Zoot, John, Wayne, and many others. Just wannabes… 🫢😇

He remains that absolute tenor sax sound benchmark for me. Never managed to hear him live, a miserable pity.

Anyhow, THANKS SO MUCH Sir for having lit my life and passion for this horn. And for all the musical contributions I still have to discover.

Reposez en paix, Monsieur. 🎷🫶

 

[Targa]

Lest we forget, Screamin' Jay Hawkins' Constipation Blues ( or at least on that LP).

A coincidence, I posted that on 15 July in Daily check in thread.

Any particular reason?

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ic3g8Xnf7LI&dp_isNewTab=1&dp_referrer=youtube&dp_allowFirstVideo=1

 

[Joe from New Orleans]

A coincidence, I posted that on 15 July in Daily check in thread.

Actually, I think the song from that LP that Plas blows hard and cool on is "What That Is".

 

[Joe from New Orleans]

View: https://youtu.be/sv9bZ3hFENY?si=YxunDWErxiCfKpOs

 

[Grumps]

Yes and no, Ron Coelho made a few pieces that were insanely open. I gave one (IIRC 0.135away to saxophonestrange at the antipodes and another one 0.160 to FrozenFingers before he got into the hit and run, while trying to assist another motorist after an accident). I played both and they were workouts but nowhere near what I expected.

.160? I knew there was a .150 floating about that used to come up on the trade board at the other site every six months or so until I believe Hakukani bought it (and still has it, I think). I would have loved to try it as my stock tenor piece is an RPC that measures .134 and I had him make me a near match at .135. Ron had a gift for making way open tipped mouthpieces entirely playable.

Plas is probably the first saxophonist kids from my generation became aware of. What an iconic sound.

 

[thomsax]

Here is Plas Johnson playing a solo on Sonny Lowery's "Goodbye Baby Goodbye (1958). Rockabilly sax. Plas Johnson had something for everyone.

View: https://youtu.be/nCPlbKVdC6I?si=tT0ygf9CiAAePxG-

 

[Pete Effamy]

R.I.P. Mr. Johnson.

I would think Plas Johnson would have to be one of the most recorded saxophonist / woodwind instrument players of all time. From "The Purple People Eater" to "Pink Panther" to Steely Dan including the piccolo part on "Rockin' Robin". I have the two DVD set of the documentary "The Wrecking Crew" by Tommy Tedesco's son Denny. The second disc includes extended interviews with various Wrecking Crew members including Plas Johnson. Also the interview Thomas refers to in Saxophone Journal is also very good...

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pu0W7X16j3Q&list=RDpu0W7X16j3Q&start_radio=1


Greg S.

We're all very familiar with it now, but before Plas played it, it would have come off the page much as the flutes play the melody - very straight. It never escapes me what skill and musicality - marvellous inflections and overall interpretation Plas put to it, and in doing so, the music truly became the Panther.