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James Last in 2006

James Last (also known as "Hansi") (born Hans Last, 17 April 1929, Bremen, Germany) 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 seventy million albums worldwide.[1]

Contents

Early life [link]

Last's father was an official at the public works department of the city of Bremen and he grew up in the suburb of Sebaldsbrück. He learned to play the piano from the age of 12, then switched to double bass as a teenager. His home city was heavily bombed in World War II and he ran messages to air defence command posts during raids. At 14 he was entered in the Bückeburg Military Music School of the German Wehrmacht.[2]

After the fall of the Nazis, he joined Hans-Gunther Österreich's Radio Bremen Dance Orchestra in 1946. In 1948, he became the leader of the Last-Becker Ensemble, which performed for seven years. During that time, he was voted as the best bassist in the country by a German jazz poll for three consecutive years, from 1950–1952. After the Last-Becker Ensemble disbanded, he became the in-house arranger for Polydor Records, as well as for a number of European radio stations. For the next decade, he helped arrange hits for artists like Helmut Zacharias, Freddy Quinn, Lolita, Alfred Hause and Caterina Valente.

Work [link]

Last first released albums in the U.S. under the titles The American Patrol on Warner Brothers around 1964. He also released a series of nine albums in a series called Classics Up To Date vols. 1–9 which served up arrangements of classical melodies with strings, rhythm and wordless chorus from the mid 1960s through the early 1970s. Last released an album, Non-Stop Dancing, in 1965, a recording of brief renditions of popular songs, all tied together by an insistent dance beat and crowd noises. It was a hit and helped make him a major European star. Over the next four decades, Last released over 190 records, including several more volumes of Non-Stop Dancing. On these records, he varies his formula by adding different songs from different countries and genres, as well as guest performers like Richard Clayderman and Astrud Gilberto. He also had his own successful television series in the 1970s with guests ABBA and Lynsey de Paul.

Though his concerts and albums are consistently successful, especially in the UK, where he had 52 hit albums between 1967 and 1986, which made him second only to Elvis Presley in charting records,[citation needed] he has had relatively few hit singles. In the UK, his only chart singles were "The Seduction", the theme from American Gigolo (1980) composed by Giorgio Moroder, and "Biscaya" from the album Biscaya. In the US, where "The Seduction" became a Top 40 hit, peaking at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 22 on the Adult Contemporary chart in May 1980, Last was somewhat more successful on the singles charts. In 2003, his song "The Lonely Shepherd" which features the pan flute of Gheorghe Zamfir appeared on the soundtrack of the Quentin Tarantino movie Kill Bill: Vol. 1.[3]

He has won numerous popular and professional awards, including Billboard magazine's Star of the Year trophy in 1976, and has been honoured for lifetime achievement with the German ECHO prize in 1994. His song "Music from Across the Way" (recorded by Andy Williams in 1972) is a melody with a classical feeling and was a worldwide hit; it is the only other Last single apart from "The Seduction" to reach the U.S. Hot 100, where it peaked at No. 84 (and No. 18 on the Adult Contemporary chart) in late 1971. (His only other U.S. chart single was a double-sided entry featuring remakes of The Village Stompers' "Washington Square" and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Proud Mary", which reached No. 22 on the Adult Contemporary chart in early 1971.)

Last has a large fan base in Europe and elsewhere. His trademark is big band arrangements of pop music hits; his series of party albums is equally well known. Over the course of his career, he has sold well over 100 million albums.[4] In the United States, Last's music was a staple of the mainly instrumental-based Beautiful Music radio format for years.

European concert dates for April 2011 have been advertised.[5]

Personal life [link]

Last divides his time between Florida and Germany. He gives much credit to his wife and son, who help with his music.

Discography [link]

 This section may need to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help by adding relevant internal links, or by improving the article's layout. (March 2011)

Productions of James Last: (As Hans Last, Orlando and James Last)

  • Tricks in Rhythm (1959)
  • Die gab's nur einmal (1963)
  • Die gab's nur einmal (1964)
  • Musikalische Liebesträume (1965)
  • Continental Tango (1965)
  • Non Stop Dancing '65 (1965)
  • Hammond A Go Go (1965)
  • Non Stop Dancing '66 (1965)
  • Beat In Sweet (1965)
  • Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Tanz (1966)
  • Trumpet A Go Go (1966)
  • Hammond A Go Go Vol.2 (1966)
  • Instrumentals Forever (1966)
  • Classics Up To Date (1966)
  • Non Stop Dancing '66/II (1966)
  • Midnight In December (1966) (Single)
  • Christmas Dancing (1966)
  • Sax A Go Go (1967)
  • Non Stop Dancing '67 (1967)
  • That's Life (1967)
  • Games That Lovers Play (1967)
  • Non Stop Dancing '67/2 (1967)
  • Trumpet A Go Go Vol. 2 (1967)
  • James Last Presents George Walker (James Last and George Walker) (1967)
  • Fanfare (1967)
  • Piano A Go Go (1968)
  • Guitar A Go Go (1968)
  • Humba Humba A Go Go (1968)
  • Non Stop Dancing '68 (1968)
  • Freddy Live (1968) (live-concert with Freddy Quinn)
  • Trumpet A Go Go 3 (1968)
  • Non Stop Dancing 7 (1968)
  • Rock Around With Me! (1968)
  • Käpt’n James bittet zum Tanz (1968)
  • Sekai Wa Futari No Tameni (1968) (only in Japan)
  • Die Dreigroschenoper (1968) (3 LP-box)
  • Non Stop Dancing 8 (1969)
  • Hammond a go 3 (1969)
  • Op klompen (1969)
  • Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Tanz 2 (1969)
  • Hair (1969)
  • Non Stop Dancing 9 (1969)
  • Wenn suess das Mondlicht auf den Huegeln schlaeft (1969)
  • Happy Lehar (1969)
  • Non Stop Evergreens (1969)
  • Classics Up To Dat Vol.2 (1969)
  • Onder Moeders Paraplu (1969)
  • Golden Non Stop Dancing 10 (1970) (jubilee-edition as LP-Box)
  • Around The World (1970) (3 LP-Box)
  • Beachparty (1970)
  • America Album (1970) (promo-edition — not official released)
  • With Compliments (1970)
  • Does His Thing (Happy Music) (1970)
  • Non Stop Dancing 11 (1970)
  • Käpt’n James bittet zum Tanz — Vol. 2 (1971)
  • In Scandinavia (1971)
  • Happyning (1971)
  • Non Stop Dancing 12 (1971)
  • Last Of Old England (1971)
  • Beachparty 2 (1971)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1972 (1971) (Non Stop Dancing 13)
  • Polka Party (1971)
  • In Concert (1971)
  • In Concert 2 (1971)
  • Music From Across The Way (1971)
  • Voodoo Party (1971)
  • Wenn die Elisabeth mit ... James Last (1972)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1972/2 (1972)
  • Love Must Be The Reason (1972)
  • Beachparty 3 (1972)
  • Russland zwischen Tag und Nacht (1972)
  • Polka Party II (1972)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1973 (1972)
  • Super Non-Stop Dancing (1972)
  • Classics (1973)
  • Sing mit (1973)
  • Happy Hammond (1973)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1973/2 (1973)
  • Beachparty 4 (1973)
  • Stereo Spectacular (1973)
  • Weihnachten & James Last (1973)
  • Käpt’n James auf allen Meeren (1973)
  • Polka-Party (1973)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1974 (1973)
  • Sax and Violins A Go Go (1974)
  • Sing mit 2 (1974)
  • In Wien beim Wein (1974)
  • James Last Live (1974) (2 LP-album)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1974/2 (1974)
  • Beachparty 5 (1974)
  • Polka Party 3 (1974)
  • Violins In Love (1974)
  • Classics Up To Date 3 (1974)
  • Sing mit 3 (1975)
  • Non Stop Dancing 20 (jubilee-edition) (1975) ("Non Stop Dancing '65" new recorded)
  • In The Mood For Trumpets (1975)
  • Well Kept Secret (1975)
  • Tulpen uit Amsterdam (1975)
  • Rock Me Gently (1975) (Only England & Canada)
  • Beachparty 6 (1975)
  • Mambo No. 5 And Other Loved Classics (1975)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1976 (1975)
  • Stars im Zeichen eines guten Sterns (1975)
  • Sing mit 4 (1976)
  • Freut Euch des Lebens (1976)
  • Happy Summer Night (1976)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1976/2 (1976)
  • Happy Marching (1976)
  • Classics Up To Date 4 (1976)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1977 (1976)
  • Sing mit 5 (1976)
  • James Last spielt Robert Stolz (1977)
  • Non Stop Dancing 1977/2 (1977)
  • Western Party And Square Dance (1977)
  • Russland Erinnerungen (1977)
  • Sing mit 6 – von Hamburg bis Mexico (1977)
  • Non Stop Dancing 78 – Folge 25 (1978)
  • Live In London (1978)
  • World Hits (1978)
  • Classics Up To Date 5 (1978)
  • New Non Stop Dancing '79 (1978)
  • Copacabana – Happy Dancing (1979)
  • James Last And The Rolling Trinity (1979)
  • Non Stop Hansi (1979) (to his 50. birthday — not for sale)
  • Hereinspaziert zur Polka Party (1979)
  • Paintings (1979) (Only in Japan)
  • Live in Tokyo (1979) - Bootleg recording not official release
  • Ein festliches Konzert zur Weihnachtszeit (1979)
  • The Non Stop Dancing Sound Of The 80's (1979)
  • Sing mit 7 – Die Party für das ganze Jahr (1980)
  • Romantische Träume (1980)
  • Seduction (1980)
  • Caribbean Nights (1980)
  • Non Stop Dancing '81 (1980)
  • Rosen aus dem Süden (1980)
  • Die schönsten Melodien der letzten 100 Jahre (1980)
  • Sing mit 8 … und ab geht die Feuerwehr! (1981)
  • Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Träumen (1981)
  • Tango (1981)
  • Hansimania (1981)
  • Non Stop Dancing ’82 – Hits Around The World (1982)
  • Sing mit 9 – Lass’ die Puppen tanzen (1982)
  • Jahrhundertmelodien (1982)
  • Biscaya (1982)
  • Nimm mich mit Käpt’n James auf die Reise (1982)
  • Paradiesvogel (1982)
  • Sing mit 10 – Wir wollen Spass! (1982)
  • Non Stop Dancing '83 – Party Power (1983)
  • Erinnerungen (1983)
  • James Last spielt die grössten Songs von The Beatles (1983)
  • The Rose Of Tralee (1983)
  • Superlast (1983)
  • Classics Up To Date Vol.6 (1984)
  • James Last im Allgäu (In The Alps) (1984)
  • Paradiso (1984)
  • James Last At St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin (1984)
  • James Last in Scotland (1984)
  • Non Stop Dancing '85 (1984)
  • Grenzenloses Himmelblau (1985)
  • Für alle! (Leave the best to Last) (1985)
  • Viva Vivaldi (1985)
  • Swing mit (1985)
  • Deutsche Vita (1986)
  • In Ireland (1986)
  • Plus (James Last & Astrud Gilberto) (1986)
  • Traumschiff-Melodien (1986)
  • Alles hat ein Ende nur die Wurst hat zwei (1987)
  • James Last in Holland (1987)
  • James Last spielt Bach (1987)
  • The Berlin-Concert ’87 (1987)
  • Lorentz & Soehne (1988)
  • Flute Fiesta (James Last & Berdien Stenberg) (1988)
  • Dance, Dance, Dance (1988)
  • James Last spielt Mozart (1988)
  • Happy Heart (1989)
  • Wir spielen wieder Polka (1989)
  • Lieder (James Last & René Kollo) (1989)
  • Classics By Moonlight (1990)
  • James Last in Holland 2 (1990)
  • Traummelodien (James Last & Richard Clayderman) (1990)
  • Pop Symphonies (1991)
  • Serenaden (James Last & Richard Clayderman) (1991)
  • Viva España (1992)
  • Country Cousins (1992)
  • James Last in Holland 3 (1992)
  • Frieden (Peace) (1992)
  • James Last spielt Andrew Lloyd Webber (1993)
  • Christmas Eve (James Last & Engelbert Humperdinck) (1994)
  • Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (James Last & Milva) (1994)
  • In Harmony (James Last & Richard Clayderman) (1995)
  • Beach Party ’95 (1995)
  • My Soul – Best of Motown (1995)
  • Classics From Russia (1996)
  • Macarena (1996)
  • Pop Symphonies 2 (1997)
  • Classics Up To Date 8 (1998)
  • Country Roads (1998)
  • The Best of Live on Tour (1998)
  • James Last & Friends (1998)
  • Happy Birthday (1999)
  • Concerts (1999)
  • Gentleman Of Music (2000)
  • Ocean Drive (2001)
  • James Last Plays ABBA (2001)
  • A World Of Music (2002)
  • New Party Classics (2002)
  • Elements Of James Last Vol.1(2004)
  • They Call Me Hansi (2004)
  • Die schönsten TV- und Filmmelodien (2006)
  • Live in Europe (2006)
  • Warum Maenner nicht zuhoeren und Frauen schlecht einparken (Soundtrack) (2007)
  • In Los Angeles (Well Kept Secret 1975) (2008)
  • Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Released as 1 DVD-edition and 2 CD-edition) (2008)
  • Eighty Not Out (Released as a 3-CD Edition) (2010)
  • Music Is My World (2011)

See also [link]

References [link]

  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 313. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  2. ^ Last, James (2007). My Autobiography. London: Metro Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84454-434-9. 
  3. ^ James Last at the Internet Movie Database
  4. ^ https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/james-last/default.aspx
  5. ^ "Concert advert". Daily Mail (London). 

External links [link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: James Last

https://wn.com/James_Last

Podcasts:

James Last

ALBUMS

In Holland

Released 2011

Glanzlichter

Released 2011

The Best World Instrumental Hits

Released 2009

Top 100

Released 2009

James Last Best Selection

Released 2009

Warum Männer nicht zuhören und Frauen schlecht einparken

Released 2007

Gentleman Of Music

Released 2006

The James Last Collection

Released 2005

Instrumental Forever

Released 2004

Romantic Dreams

Released 2004

Live in Europe

Released 2004

The Last Extravaganza

Released 2003

Happy Party

Released 2002

Musical Highlights

Released 2002

Filmmelodien

Released 2002

60 Wereldsuccessen

Released 2002

The Best of Christmas

Released 2000

MTV Music History

Released 2000

Melodies Forever

Released 1999

La Paloma

Released 1999

International Superhits

Released 1999

Yesterday und andere Beatles Songs

Released 1999

Das grosse Fest der Volksmusik

Released 1999

Britain's Best

Released 1999

The Best of Käpt'n James

Released 1998

Manner and Matter

Released 1998

The Classic Touch

Released 1997

In Scandinavia

Released 1997

'n Hollands Uurtje

Released 1996

Beach Party '95

Released 1995

Christmas Eve

Released 1994

Meisterstücke

Released 1993

Ein Sound erobert die Welt

Released 1992

Serenaden

Released 1991

Fanfare

Released 1991

Um Piano Acima Das Nuvens

Released 1990

The Best From 150 Gold

Released 1990

Classics by Moonlight

Released 1990

Last Bleibt Last

Released 1989

Ein Sound geht um die Welt

Released 1989

Paris Mon Amour

Released 1988

Wenn alle Brünnlein fließen

Released 1988

Starportrait

Released 1988

James Last spielt Bach

Released 1987

Non Stop Dancing '85

Released 1985

Grenzenloses Himmelblau

Released 1985

Swing Mit

Released 1985

Sky Blue

Released 1985

Superlast Superparty

Released 1983

Melodies of the Century

Released 1982

Last Forever

Released 1981

Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Träumen

Released 1981

The Four Moods of James Last

Released 1980

Rosen aus dem Süden: James Last spielt Johann Strauß

Released 1980

Jubiläumskonzert

Released 1979

Latin Latin Latin

Released 1979

Paintings

Released 1979

Classics for Dreaming

Released 1979

Polka Party, Volume 4

Released 1979

Ein Festliches Konzert zur Weihnachtsczeit mit James Last

Released 1979

Hereinspaziert Zur Polka Party

Released 1979

Russland Erinnerungen

Released 1977

10 Years Non Stop - Jubilee Album

Released 1975

Non Stop Dancing 1976

Released 1975

Tulpen uit Amsterdam

Released 1975

Well Kept Secret

Released 1975

Rock Me Gently

Released 1975

Super Party Pac - Continuous Dancing

Released 1974

Don't Let the Sun Go Down

Released 1974

In South America

Released 1974

James Last live

Released 1974

Super Stereo 74

Released 1974

Bravo

Released 1974

Polka Party 3

Released 1974

Golden Memories

Released 1973

Olé

Released 1973

Non stop party

Released 1973

Love Must Be The Reason

Released 1972

James Last Around the World: Russia & Italy

Released 1971

Last the Whole Night Through

Released 1970

With Compliments

Released 1970

Onder Moeders Paraplu

Released 1969

Evergreens Non Stop Dancing

Released 1969

Wenn süß das Mondlicht ...

Released 1969

Dancing à gogo: 40 Hits für Ihre Party

Released 1969

Hair

Released 1969

Humba Humba a Gogo

Released 1968

Mr. Partyking

Released 1968

Sekai Wa Futari No Tameni

Released 1968

The James Last Treasury

Released 1968

Ännchen von Tharau bittet zum Tanz

Released 1966

Non Stop Dancing '65

Released 1965

Great Instrumentals

The Music of James Last

Christmas Classics

Moonriver ...und andere große Filmmelodien

Zilver - Het beste uit 25 jaar

Vrolijk Kerstfeest met James Last

Happy Music

Western Party

Email this Page Play all in Full Screen Show More Related Videos
PLAYLIST TIME:

Hard To Say I'm Sorry

by: James Last

Everybody needs a little time away,
I heard her say, from eachother.
Even lovers need a holiday,
far away, from eachother.
Hold me now.
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry.
I just want you to stay.
After all that we've been through.
I will make it up to you, I promise you. ( baby)
And after all that's been said and done.
You're just the part of me I can't let go.
Couldn't stand to be kept away,
Not for a day, from your body. ( not even a day)
Wouldn't want to be swept away, (away)
far away, from the one that I love.
Hold me now.
It's hard for me to say I'm sorry.
I just want you to know. (you to no)
Hold me now.
I really want to tell you I'm sorry.
I could never've let you go.
After all that we've been through.
I will make it up to you.
I promise you.
And after all that's been said and done.
You're just a part of me I can't let go. ( i cant let
After all that we've been through.
I will make it up to.
I promise to.
You're gonna be the lucky one.
(((Music changes to Get Away)))
When we get there gonna jump in the air.
No one sees us cause there's nobody there.
After all you know we really don't care.




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