ABOUT THIS ENCORE PRESENTATION: When I first published this in January of 2019, my dear wife Alicia was still with me … she loved Hansi’s music just as much, if not more-if that’s possible-than I do.
Before they both passed on, it was our intention for me to somehow secure tickets for one of his annual performances in Royal Albert Hall in London, but we just never got it together and make it happen.
I know many of you read this back at that time, but I’m just wrapping up the final details of my re-location from Maryland back to my “beloved” Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and have not gotten to writing the new post which I had intended for this week.
So, I invite you to read and enjoy my look at one of the greatest musicians of all time . . . James “Hansi” Last! Even if you’ve read previously, take a few minutes and experience the great musical arrangements created as only the great Maestro could write and/or conceive them and his world-class musicians perform them!
On a rainy evening last week, we needed something to brighten things up here in the Taylor household. So, I went down to the “library” and dug out a recording of one of this gentleman’s concerts from several years ago — leading me to a desire to share some of his story and music.
If you are into music, especially of the instrumental kind … you know that title truly fits only one person: Germany’s James Last, known affectionately to his fans as “Hansi.”
Having begun playing piano at age six, he received his musical training at a German military music school in Bremen during World War Two and, following the war’s end, he became a performing musician as well as a composer and arranger. Early in his career, two of his compositions would make it into the upper reaches of the pop charts. In 1966, “Happy Heart” became an international hit in recordings by both Andy Williams and Petula Clark … and in 1969, Eddie Fisher released “Games That Lovers Play.”
Forming a band, his first album would be released in 1965, titled Non-Stop Dancing, consisting of short renditions of pop songs of the day, played in long medley form to a dance beat with crowd sounds. It was an immediate hit and was quickly followed by more releases utilizing the same formula. This new musical sound became such an instant hit that word reached Canada, with thousands of copies of the album being imported to satisfy customer demands. This popularity also led to the James Last Orchestra’s first-ever live performances … at the Montreal World Expo in 1967.
Other than a couple of albums of classical melodies played in a more traditional arrangement style, Hansi’s first release that I consider to be in our Easy Listening/Beautiful Music realm came in 1970, titled With Compliments. It is on this album that the instrumental version of Music From Across the Way is found — which you won’t find listed, as it was originally titled The Last Guest Is Gone.
As noted in my memoir, “RADIO … My Love, My Passion” . . . this melody is what brought my dear wife Alicia and I back together after having gone our separate ways 16 years earlier following my being drafted into the U. S. Army. As others have stated, she kept hearing this ethereal melody on the radio and just had to have the recording, but no one could find the album for her. So, she located me in New York City, as she knew I could deliver. That was all that was needed for us to make a permanent re-connection!
I think you’ll agree with me that, no matter what the James Last Orchestra is playing, there’s a happy and upbeat feeling to the music. That’s why this article is titled The King of Happy Music! In fact, Hansi describes his credo to be “Music knows no borders.”
Speaking of borders, the Last’s would discover the beauty of the weather in south Florida compared to Germany … purchasing their first home in the Palm Beach area in 1971. Other than when on tour — which was often — and recording sessions in Germany, Florida would be his primary home for the rest of his life.
Give a listen now to one of the most favorite melodies of all time, from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita: Here’s “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” performed the James Last way!
I always wondered about, with his being born Hans Last and his fans calling him “Hansi,” where does James come in? The answer — which doesn’t surprise me — is found in his 2006 Autobiography, where he writes about receiving the first copy of his first Non Stop Dancing recording … his wife “tore open the package, pulled out the LP and gasped at me in amazement. ‘Look, they’ve put James Last on it. Why? Your name is Hans, they all know that, so why have they put James?’
“I had no idea. When we got back, I asked Polydor and their answer was, ‘The music is so international, James simply sounds better.’ The funny thing is, today all my English fans call me Hansi, but in Germany I am still James.”
Sadly, in September of 2014, he was told that a “life threatening” illness had worsened (details of which were never disclosed). However, being the trouper he was, James “Hansi” Last would not go quietly … in early 2015 he announced he’d do a final “goodbye tour”, with 24 concerts in Germany, Denmark, France, Austria and London during March and April. Afterward, he returned to Florida, where the “King of Happy Music” passed away less than six weeks later on June 9th, 2015 at age 86.
Hansi may be German and this tune an American country folk classic melody, but it’s a “must play” for the James Last Orchestra no matter where around the globe they go — Orange Blossom Special!
His second wife Christine and his children, Ronnie and Caterina, were at his side. His first wife, Waltraub — they had married in 1955 — died in 1997. During his lifetime, James Last recorded more than 200 albums, of which more than 80 million copies were sold … many of which are still available via Amazon and other outlets … and did concert tours of virtually every corner of the world EXCEPT the United States, where the U. S. musicians’ union rules — as he traveled with his own musicians — made performances too much of a challenge.
Let me leave you with this great performance of this great melody! Paul Anka wrote it, Frank Sinatra sung it … now listen to the James Last Orchestra play it, featuring Derek Watkins — who was a member of the band for much of its 50 years of touring and recording — on Flugelhorn … “My Way!”
Hansi … we miss you!
BOOK REFERENCE:
james last – My Autobiography © 2006 – James Last with Thomas Macho – John Blake Publishing Ltd, London, England
What a great article, you do such a fine job of everything.4
Thank you so much, Cloyd … appreciate hearing from you.
He is one of my favorite band leaders. I have many of his albums in my library at the radio station. Thanks for writing the story.
Thank you, Rick … glad to know you are a member of the Hansi “family.”
Thank you very much for writing this article. Very nice to read.
Thank you for the compliment, Piet. Great to hear from the Netherlands!
I went to the first set of concerts in the UK in 1971 – I was still at school then. I just loved the way he seagued all the hits together and I was hooked all through until the very last concert in Germany. And there I met him – again – and he signed my original 1971 programme. His music was and still is amazingly crisp – cleverly arranged – detailed – and this Hansi Fan misses him and the concert parties a lot. My proudest moment was being interviewed by BBC at the Royal Albert Hall after one of the soundchecks and appearing on the news.
I miss those days. We had a lot of fun and made a lot of friends through his music.
Wonderful story, wonderful devotion, Bill … I am jealous. Some year in the late 80’s or 1990’s, I worked on plans for my wife and I to fly over for a Royal Albert Hall performance, but something sidetracked the trip at the last minute … and I never got another one together.
Thank you for this article on what would of been hansis 90th birthday been a fan for40 years and i think every other james last supporter will aggree that they will never be any artist to come close to what he achived a 1 off musical genius the finest group of musicians from all over the world and a leader that could arrange music like no other we all miss him greatly
Thank you, Richard … I concur with every word you said – it is amazing how he was able to bring together year after year such a talented and skilled group of musicians!
Marlin: I had never heard of Hansi Last but WOW, now I have and will look as to where I can find his albums or CD's… THE LAST GUEST IS GONE literally brought goosebumps. I want to hear this music played on speakers far better than I have here in the den. Thank you for introducing his music to me! I wonder if he ever recorded any of the music from SOMEWHERE IN TIME? By the way, I have sold my station and am retiring in June and then what?? Rick Sellers
I’m so pleased, Rick … to know that I’ve introduced the great music of James Last to a new music lover. As for his recording melodies from “Somewhere In Time,” I don’t off-hand remember hearing any … but your mention does make me want to return to the Grand Hotel! What to do next? Buy some James Last CD’s and sit back and inhale the beauty and excitement!
From a historical perspective – James Last's Non-stop Dancing party records of the 60s anticipated the Disco craze in this country several years later. Didn't he play with the North German Radio Orchestra on some of the earlier 101 Strings recordings? Very romantic your re-connecting with Alicia as a result of his recordings. How I wish I had known her! I met my wife in church, and my first wife at a human growth potential workshop. I guess not so romantic.
We all have our unique experiences and stories, Dick … the results are what count – if they are good, we’ve won the lottery!
I would have loved to seen James Last and his orchestra perform live at Royal Albert Hall or comparable venue. But will have to make so with the videos found on YouTube. On the uptempo side I never get tired of watching/listening to Orange Blossom Special. My favorite mellow James Last piece is the long, slow version of Games That Lovers Play. Thanks so much, Marlin, for the direction to the "With Compliments" album for the instrumental version of Music From Across the Way/The Last Guest is Gone.