James Last was born Hans Last in Bremen, Germany in 1929. He started out as a jazz bassist before forming his first band in 1954. His 1965 album 'Non-Stop Dancing' became his breakthrough, mixing classical music with pop and dance rhythms.
He led an orchestra that toured internationally, playing to large crowds through the 1970s and 1980s. Some of his better-known recordings include 'Vertigo,' 'Always On My Mind,' and his version of 'Yesterday.' He also wrote 'Lara's Theme' for the 1965 film 'Doctor Zhivago.'
Over his career, Last released more than 200 albums. Some musical purists criticized his approach to classical arrangements, but he kept working in his style. He died in 2015.
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