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.
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.
He continued to play with his brother Kai Warner's band until the latter's death in 1982.
Robert developed heart problems and died in 1986, a day after making amends with his younger brother.