Robert Last
Encyclopedia
Robert Last was a German
drummer.
The oldest brother of Werner Last (known as Kai Warner
) and Hans Last (known as James Last
) played together with his
brothers in the dance and entertainment orchestra of Radio Bremen, went to the USA in 1954 and studied drumming with Sonny Igoe, the drummer for Woody Herman
. Played, among other places, at the mirrored room of the Metropole Café
on Broadway
. He returned to Germany in 1960. Here he became the first drummer for the James Last Band
and the Kai Warner Orchestra. He also played with Helmut Zacharias
, Günther Fuhlisch and Bert Kaempfert
. To this day, many rank him as the best drummer ever to work with James Last and his brother Werner.
In the early 1970s he started his own studio orchestra and put out a series of Happy Dancing albums on the DECCA
in Royal
Sound Stereo label. His first LP was Non Stop Musical Party (DECCA SLK 16627-P). Other recordings: Happy Dancing 2/Non Stop Western Party, Happy Dancing 3/Non Stop Schiwago Party, Happy Dancing 4/Die aktuelle Non-Stop Hit Party, Happy Dancing 5/Die aktuelle Non-Stop Hit Party, Happy Dancing/28 unvergessene Melodien aus der Zwanzigern, Happy Dancing/28 unvergessene Melodien aus der Dreißigern.
Robert continued to play with the bands of his brothers during the early 70s. In 1972, the James Last Band toured Australia, with resounding success.All of the musicians performed brilliantly all night.(about 3 hours,almost non-stop). But there was one standout artist---Robert Last on the drums. Robert brought the house down with his drum solo after the intermission. However, a dispute developed between himself and James Last over some questionable personal behaviour on Robert's part during a tour of South Africa, and Robert was fired from the James Last Band.
In the 1980s he wanted to be independent, as he was apparently cheated by his producers. He continued to play with his brother Kai Warner's band until the latter's death in 1982. Despite the South Africa firing, Robert occasionally did session work with James Last, although he never re-joined the band full-time; James Last later said that if Robert had just spoken up and asked to be reinstated, he would have done so. Robert developed heart problems and died in 1986, a day after making amends with his younger brother.
drummer.
The oldest brother of Werner Last (known as Kai Warner
Kai Warner
Kai Warner was the stage name of Werner Last , a German bandleader and musician. He is the brother of of James Last and Robert Last...
) and Hans Last (known as James Last
James Last
James Last 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...
) played together with his
brothers in the dance and entertainment orchestra of Radio Bremen, went to the USA in 1954 and studied drumming with Sonny Igoe, the drummer for Woody Herman
Woody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
. Played, among other places, at the mirrored room of the Metropole Café
Metropole Cafe
The Metropole Cafe was a jazz club that operated in New York from the mid-1950s through 1965. Located at 7th Avenue and 48th Street, It was primarily noted, in the bebop and progressive jazz era, as being a venue for traditional musicians...
on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
. He returned to Germany in 1960. Here he became the first drummer for the James Last Band
James Last Orchestra
The James Last Orchestra is a German big-band orchestra with strings. The orchestra was established in 1964 as a studio orchestra, led by jazz musician Hans Last...
and the Kai Warner Orchestra. He also played with Helmut Zacharias
Helmut Zacharias
Helmut Zacharias was a German violinist and composer. At the time of his death, he had created over 400 works and sold 14 million records. He also appeared in number of films, usually playing musicians.-Early life:...
, Günther Fuhlisch and Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert
Bert Kaempfert was a German orchestra leader and songwriter. He made easy listening and jazz-oriented records, and wrote the music for a number of well-known songs, such as "Strangers in the Night" and "Spanish Eyes".-Biography:He was born in Hamburg, Germany - where he received his lifelong...
. To this day, many rank him as the best drummer ever to work with James Last and his brother Werner.
In the early 1970s he started his own studio orchestra and put out a series of Happy Dancing albums on the DECCA
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
in Royal
Sound Stereo label. His first LP was Non Stop Musical Party (DECCA SLK 16627-P). Other recordings: Happy Dancing 2/Non Stop Western Party, Happy Dancing 3/Non Stop Schiwago Party, Happy Dancing 4/Die aktuelle Non-Stop Hit Party, Happy Dancing 5/Die aktuelle Non-Stop Hit Party, Happy Dancing/28 unvergessene Melodien aus der Zwanzigern, Happy Dancing/28 unvergessene Melodien aus der Dreißigern.
Robert continued to play with the bands of his brothers during the early 70s. In 1972, the James Last Band toured Australia, with resounding success.All of the musicians performed brilliantly all night.(about 3 hours,almost non-stop). But there was one standout artist---Robert Last on the drums. Robert brought the house down with his drum solo after the intermission. However, a dispute developed between himself and James Last over some questionable personal behaviour on Robert's part during a tour of South Africa, and Robert was fired from the James Last Band.
In the 1980s he wanted to be independent, as he was apparently cheated by his producers. He continued to play with his brother Kai Warner's band until the latter's death in 1982. Despite the South Africa firing, Robert occasionally did session work with James Last, although he never re-joined the band full-time; James Last later said that if Robert had just spoken up and asked to be reinstated, he would have done so. Robert developed heart problems and died in 1986, a day after making amends with his younger brother.