Obituary: Terence Johns, 1944-2025

Terry began his career in brass at the age of ten in the band of Tower Colliery in South Wales where his father worked as a miner. He was awarded a Glamorgan scholarship at age eighteen to study the French horn with Barry Tuckwell at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he later became a professor.

He was a member of the LSO from 1980-85 during which time he played at many important concerts including Aaron Copland’s 80th Birthday in 1980 and the opening of the Barbican Centre in 1982. Terry played on dozens of film soundtracks including Battle of Britain, Diamonds are Forever, Superman and the original Star Wars Trilogy. It was Terry who played the famous horn solo at the funeral of Darth Vader.

Prior to joining the LSO Terry was a member of the London Mozart Players and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout his career, he played with many well-known brass ensembles. He was a conductor, teacher and composer. In 1984, he arranged some of the music for the memorial service for film star Richard Burton at the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. He recorded jazz albums, and appeared on television with Shirley Bassey, Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee. He was also an author and published two books about his life in music.

The LSO extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.