Acker Bilk: legendary jazz clarinettist dies aged 85

(BBC) Clarinettist Acker Bilk, who personified the trad jazz revival of the 1950s and 60s, has died after a lengthy illness, aged 85.

His most famous number Stranger on the Shore was the UK's biggest selling single of 1962 and made him an international star.

Born Bernard Stanley Bilk, he changed his name to Acker - Somerset slang for mate - after learning to play the clarinet in the Army.

His last concert was in August 2013.

Pamela Sutton, who was Bilk's personal manager for 45 years, said he had "been ill for some time. He was my great friend and his music was legendary."

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29874053


-- BBC 2014-11-03

An amazing talent. I love his music.

His music was wonderful... Thanks so much to you and all the other artists of every kind that make life better.

For those of you too young to remember

RIP Acker

For those of you too young to remember

RIP Acker

Yes, RIP. ITs interesting as one gets older how many of your childhood legends start to drop off. I still want to get to 100 but a thai monk told me I would only make 99, - bugger.

His music will live on for a very long time.

Stranger on the Shore was the first song I learned to play on the clarinet. (at 14)

He was my role-model.

Sad,,,A great guy,and wonderful musician, He came to visit and entertain us in 1965 We were doing our stuff on the Sarawak -Indonesian border ridge.

( Indonesian confrontation ) Borneo

If my memory still works, he hailed from Bishop Sutton (on the road from Chew Stoke to Keynsham).

Or was it Pensford??

I await informed advice.

Edited November 3, 201411 yr by catterwell

Sad,,,A great guy,and wonderful musician, He came to visit and entertain us in 1965 We were doing our stuff on the Sarawak -Indonesian border ridge.

( Indonesian confrontation ) Borneoacka.jpg

Just like to add this pic.He was playing in our jungle base 1000mtr from the Indo border. As I said great great guy RIP

If my memory still works, he hailed from Bishop Sutton (on the road from Chew Stoke to Keynsham).

Or was it Pensford??

I await informed advice.

Pensford just a couple miles south of Bristol. I used to drive through it everyday on the way to workplace.

Acker was born and raised in the village of Pensford, which is about 6 miles SE of Bristol.

RIP Acker, and god bless you for all the happiness you brought into the world.

I recall Stranger on the Shore from when I was a kid, but never knew the title until this thread!

I used to think it was moody version of "Tonight" from West Side Story, which was also popular at that time.