Acker Bilk

Pensford, Somerset, England, UK

Acker Bilk

Biography

Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk, MBE (28 January 1929 – 2 November 2014) was a British clarinetist and vocalist known for his breathy, vibrato-rich, lower-register style, and distinctive appearance – of goatee, bowler hat and striped waistcoat. Bilk's 1962 instrumental tune "Stranger on the Shore" became the UK's biggest selling single of 1962. It spent more than 50 weeks on the UK charts, peaking at number two, and was the second No. 1 single in the United States by a British artist. Bilk was born in Pensford, Somerset, in 1929. He earned the nickname "Acker" from the Somerset slang for "friend" or "mate". His parents tried to teach him the piano but, as a boy, Bilk found it restricted his love of outdoor activities, including football. He lost two front teeth in a school fight and half a finger in a sledging accident, both of which he said affected his eventual clarinet style. On leaving school Bilk joined the workforce of W.D. & H.O....

Known For

No Poster

It's All Over Town

Holiday in St. Tropez

The Ghost Goes Gear

Band of Thieves

No Poster

4-3-2-1 Hot and Sweet

Bullseye

Made by zerone0x all rights reserved 💚