Acker Bilk
Acker Bilk | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bernard Stanley Bilk |
| Born | 28 January 1929 Pensford, Somerset, England |
| Died | 2 November 2014 (aged 85) Bath, Somerset, England |
| Genres | Trad jazz, Easy listening |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Clarinet |
| Years active | 1954–2013 |
| Labels | Atco, EMI, Columbia, Castle, Philips, Stomp Off, GNP, Lake |
Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk, MBE (28 January 1929 – 2 November 2014) was an English clarinetist and vocalist known for his breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register style, and distinctive appearance – of goatee, bowler hat and striped waistcoat.
Bilk's 1961 instrumental tune "Stranger on the Shore" became the UK's biggest selling single of 1962, spending 55 weeks on the charts and reaching Number 1. It was the first single to top the UK and US charts simultaneously, and the second No. 1 single in the United States by a British artist. In Canada it was number 4 for 4 weeks before peaking at number 3.