James Last (also known as "Hansi") (born Hans Last, 17 April 1929) is a German composer and big band leader. His "happy music" made his numerous albums best-sellers in Germany and the United Kingdom. His composition, "Happy Heart", became an international success in interpretations by Andy Williams and Petula Clark. According to the British Hit Singles & Albums book, he has reportedly sold in excess of eighty million albums worldwide.
Waltraud Last (m. 1955–1997), Christine Last (m. ?–2015), Der einsame Hirte, Biscaya, Orange Blossom Special
Children
Ronald Last, Caterina Last, Der einsame Hirte, Biscaya, Orange Blossom Special
Parents
Martha Last, Louis Last, Der einsame Hirte, Biscaya, Orange Blossom Special
Siblings
Kai Warner
Awards
Echo Award for Lifetime Achievement Award
Movies
James Last: Gentleman of Music, James Last: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, James Last & His Orchestra: Beach Party, James Last: Live in London 1978, James Last: Live in Berlin
Star Sign
Aries
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Fact
1
As a young man in Germany, he narrowly avoided being drafted for military service during WWII, being too young by 17 days.
2
His record company changed his name to James to make him sound less German when his debut album came out in the UK. He was not consulted about the change, but went along with it.
3
He was a big-band leader, composer, and arranger. He sold millions of records with his trademark "happy music", upbeat versions of pop and classical favorites performed by his orchestra.
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Heute hau'n wir auf die Pauke
1972
Der Kapitän
1971
Unsere Pauker gehen in die Luft
1970
Ein Tag ist schöner als der andere
1969
Wenn süß das Mondlicht auf den Hügeln schläft
1969
Morgens um Sieben ist die Welt noch in Ordnung
1968
Das Traumschiff
2010-2014
TV Series 2 episodes
Dinosaurier
2009
Warum Männer nicht zuhören und Frauen schlecht einparken
2007
Der Landarzt
1999
TV Series 6 episodes
Zwei Münchner in Hamburg
1989-1991
TV Series 25 episodes
Lorentz & Söhne
1988
TV Series
Grenzenloses Himmelblau
1985
TV Movie
Drachenfutter
1985
Documentary short
ZDF Hitparade
1969-1984
TV Series main title composer - 183 episodes
Kreisbrandmeister Felix Martin
1982
TV Series 2 episodes
Der Fuchs von Övelgönne
1981
TV Series 13 episodes
Show-Express
1980
TV Series
Schwarzwaldfahrt aus Liebeskummer
1974
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Das Traumschiff
TV Series composer - 45 episodes, 1992 - 2016 title music - 2 episodes, 2006 - 2009
Der Landarzt
2001-2013
TV Series composer - 150 episodes
Dinosaurier
2009
music arranger
Warum Männer nicht zuhören und Frauen schlecht einparken
2007
music arranger / soundtrack producer
Der Fuchs von Övelgönne
1981
TV Series composer - 13 episodes
The Sunday Game
1981
TV Series composer: theme music - 1981-2003, 2008-2014
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Trainyard Dogs: Part I
2016
writer: "The Lonely Shepherd"
So You Think You Can Dance Canada
2011
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Dinosaurier
2009
performer: "Morgens um sieben ist die Welt noch in Ordnung" / writer: "Morgens um sieben ist die Welt noch in Ordnung"
Mary and Max
2009
performer: "That's Life"
Screenwipe
2008
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Warum Männer nicht zuhören und Frauen schlecht einparken
2007
music: "Der kleine Unterschied" - as J. Last
Kill Dill
2005
Short writer: "The Lonely Shepherd"
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
2003
writer: "The Lonely Shepherd"
Ni pour, ni contre (bien au contraire)
2003
performer: "I've got you under my skin"
Kevin & Perry Go Large
2000
performer: "Ethnic Majority"
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
1998
writer: "Happy Heart"
Shallow Grave
1994
writer: "Happy Heart"
Paradise
1984
Short "The Lonely Shepherd"
The Brady Bunch Variety Hour
1977
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Ernie Sigley Show
1974
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Two Ronnies
1972
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Die Traumschiff-Gala
2005
TV Movie
Glücksspirale - Start ins Glück
1973
TV Movie
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
NDR Talk Show
2009-2015
TV Series
Himself
Volle Kanne
2006-2015
TV Series
Himself
Zimmer frei!
2012
TV Series
Himself
DAS!
2009-2012
TV Series
Himself
The Joy of Easy Listening
2011
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Breakfast
2011
TV Series
Himself - Composer and Big Band Leader
Ein Abend für...
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself
Musikantenstadl
2009
TV Series
Himself
Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel
2004-2009
TV Series
Himself
TV total
2004-2008
TV Series
Himself
Höchstpersönlich
2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
Beckmann
2001-2006
TV Series
Himself
Zibb
2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
Das Sonntagskonzert - James Last in Berlin/5. Mai 1974 Open Air
2004
Video
Himself
Strangers in the Night: The Bert Kaempfert Story
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Leute heute
1999-2002
TV Series documentary
Himself
Ein Star und seine Stadt
2002
TV Series documentary
Himself
Die Stunde der Stars
2001
TV Series
Himself
Musikbutikken
2000
TV Series
Himself
ZDF Hitparade
1999
TV Series
Himself
Die Harald Schmidt Show
1997
TV Series
Himself
Verstehen Sie Spaß?
1994
TV Series
Himself
Show-Express
1980-1982
TV Series
Himself - Bandleader
James Last in London
1979
TV Movie
Himself
Saturday Night at the Mill
1979
TV Series
Himself
Starparade
1968-1977
TV Series
Bandleader / Himself - Bandleader / Themselves / ...