Horst Jankowski

Horst Jankowski (30 January 1936 – 29 June 1998)[1] was a classically trained German pianist, most famous for his internationally successful easy listening music.

Biography

Born in Berlin,[1] Jankowski studied at the Berlin Music Conservatory and played jazz in Germany in the 1950s, serving as bandleader for singer Caterina Valente. Jankowski's fame as a composer of easy listening pop peaked in 1965 with his tune "Eine Schwarzwaldfahrt", released in English as "A Walk in the Black Forest". The tune became a pop hit, reaching #1 on the US easy listening chart,[2] #12 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[3] and #3 on the UK Singles Chart.[4] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[5] The track was featured on the BBC's review of the 1960s music scene, Pop Go The Sixties, broadcast on BBC One and ZDF, on December 31, 1969. The Genius of Jankowski album, released in 1965, was also a million seller.[5] This track has become a signature song at Plymouth Argyle F.C., being played at the end of each game whilst the fans leave the ground

The instrumental tune was covered by many artists including Herb Alpert and Peter Nero.

Jankowski went on to score a string of successful albums, but moved on in the 1970s to concentrate more on jazz, including covers of pop and rock hits.[6] Between 1989 and 1994 Jankowski composed and performed easy listening music for Sonoton, Germany.

Jankowski died of lung cancer in 1998, at the age of 62.[1]

Discography

With Johnny Hodges

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thedeadrockstarsclub.com Accessed March 2010
  2. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2002). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961-2001. Record Research. p. 125.
  3. ↑ Billboard Singles, #9 on the US Cash Box Top 100, Allmusic.com
  4. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 279. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. 1 2 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 191. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  6. ↑ Biography, Allmusic.com
  7. ↑ Billboard, Allmusic.com. passim.
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