Robert Last (1921–1986) was a German drummer and bandleader, best known as the older brother of renowned composer and bandleader James Last. Born in Bremen, Germany, Robert grew up in a musical family alongside his brothers James and Werner, both of whom also pursued careers in music.
The exact date of birth of Robert Last is not consistently recorded in publicly available sources. James was the youngest child of Louis and Martha Last. Robert Last was one of his older brothers.
Although some sources suggest Robert was born on May 7, 1921, official confirmation of this is lacking in biographies or reliable archives. The Last family consisted of five children – a daughter and four sons – but specific dates for Robert are not consistently recorded.
As a drummer, Robert Last was active in the German big band and orchestral scene, often performing in jazz and popular music ensembles. While he never achieved the same international fame as his brother James, he played an essential role as a session musician and bandleader in various recording projects.
Throughout his career, Robert Last worked with several orchestras and musicians, contributing to Germany’s post-war music revival. He was known for his energetic drumming style and his ability to adapt to different genres, including jazz, swing, and light orchestral music.
Robert Last passed away in 1986, but his contributions to the German music scene remain part of his family’s lasting legacy in the world of orchestral and easy listening music.
57 recordings by Robert Last you can hear on Instrumentals Forever:
Am Fuss der blauen Berge – South Of The Border • America – There’s No Business Like Showbusiness – Oklahoma • A-tisket, a-tasket • Bei mir bist du schön • Black bottom • Blue skies • Boo-hoo • Bublitschki – From Russia With Love – Song Of Ataman Platoff • Bugle call rag • Bye bye blues • Casatschok – Kalinka – Anuschka • Charleston • Chicago • Coming Round The Mountains – Little Brown Jug – Old McDonald • Donkey serenade • Flight Of The Bumble Bee – Sabre Dance • Gentle On My Mind – High Noon – Cotton Fields • Georgia on my mind • Get Me To The Church On Time – 76 Trombones – Das gibt’s nur auf der Reeperbahn • Good Morning Starshine – I Could Have Danced All Night – Hernando’s Hideaway • Goodnight ladies • Goodnight sweetheart • Happy days are here again • Hare Krishna – Aquarius – Let The Sunshine In • Honeysuckle rose • In meinem Schaukelstuhl/Nimm mich mit Kapitän/A spoonful of sugar • Jalousie • Jeepers-creepers • John Brown’s Body – Polly Wolly Doodle – Red River Valley • Junge, komm bald wieder – Edelweiss • Limehouse blues • Little brown jug • Mack The Knife – Hello Dolly – Anything You Can Do • Maria – Bali Hai – Some Enchanted Evening – On The Street Where You Live – Wouldn’t It Be Loverly – Make Believe • Mexican Hat Dance – Marchin’ Through Georgia • Michael – O Susanna – Bronco • Moscow Nights – Cossack Patrol – Two Guitars • Nathalie – Einsames Glöckchen – Grischa • O My Darling Clementine – Little Lizza – Camptown Race • O Shenandoah – The House Of The Rising Sun – Green Green Grass Of Home • Ol’ man river • Ol’ Man River – If I Were A Rich Man • On the sunny side of the street • Organ Grinder’s swing • Penny serenade • Riders In The Sky – Yellow Rose Of Texas – Bonanza • Schiwago-Melodie – Stranger In Paradise • Sloop John B – Tom Dooley – Square Dance • Stenka Rasin – Wolgalied – Troika • Taiga – Abendglocken – Tikcuf Boat Song • Tiger rag • Tschaikowsky Nr 1 – Sibirische Schlittenfahrt – Trepak • Whispering • Wolgaschiffer – Habe Mitleid – Der rote Sarafan • Yes, we have no bananas • You are my lucky star • You are my sunshine •
