Acker Bilk, jazz clarinettest, dies 85

Bernard Stanley “Acker” Bilk MBE (January 28, 1929 – November 2, 2014) was an English clarinettist and vocalist, billed as Mr. Acker Bilk on many of his recordings. He was known for his trademark goatee, bowler hat, striped waistcoat and his breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register clarinet style.

Bilk’s 1962 instrumental tune “Stranger on the Shore” became the UK’s biggest selling single of 1962 where it remained in the UK charts for more than 50 weeks, peaking at number two, and was the first No. 1 single in the US by a British artist in the era of the modern Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.

Acker Bilk cause of death

He died on November 2, 2014 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Jenny and son Pete. Cause of death was not released.

Stranger On The Shore – Acker Bilk

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