Big band leader James Last has died at his home in Florida, aged 86.
The German-born musician’s manager said he died at his home “peacefully and in the presence of his family”.
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 British Hit Singles & Albums, he has reportedly sold in excess of eighty million albums worldwide.
He recorded more than 190 records and sold millions of copies, achieving continuous success from the mid-1960s into the early 1980s.
He appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the spring as part of a farewell tour he announced after becoming seriously ill last year.
See him performing at the BBC in 1976 below.
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