James Last - My Autobiography

It was a simple idea, but it made James Last, born Hans Last in Germany in 1929, hugely successful. He came up with the idea of arranging chart hits in an accessible, big band style and found a massive audience for what turned into an astonishing series of records down the years. In a career stretching back decades he has sold over 100 million albums with more than 190 releases. Having showed great promise as a child, James joined a dance orchestra in 1946 when he was just 17, was voted best bassist in Germany three years running and west on to become the in-house arranger for Ploydor Records. His first album set the tone, as 1965's Non-Stop Dancing featured a medley of popular chart numbers linked by an infectious dance beat and atmospheric audience sounds. With his years of experience in the business, he knew exactly how to shape his sound and was shrewd enough to spot that there was a gap in the market for this kind of unpretentious party music. Not only was he right, but ut made him a superstar of the big world. But it hasn't always been easy. Though he is fantastically popular, James has always been music's best-kept secret. Even with all those albums and trademark cover versions selling so well, he's only had two hit singles. It hasn't stopped him winning awards, including Billboard's 'Star of the Year' gong in 1976 and he won a German Echo prize in 1994. And he has loyal fans who will go and see him wherever and whenever he plays. Now with homes in both Florida and Germany, he spends time with his much-loved family and continues to keep his millions of fans happy with his unique brand of music.

James Last was born Hans Last on 17th April, 1929 in Bremen, Germany. He is a composer and big band leader with more that 100 million album sales.