Jazz clarinettist Acker Bilk dies aged 85

by Irn Bru Sun Nov 02, 2014 9:31 pm

The musician, who lived in Pensford, Somerset, died this afternoon at Bath's Royal United Hospital, his manager Pamela Sutton said.

Bilk, known for performing in a garish waistcoat and bowler hat, was the first UK act to top the US charts in the 1960s. His most famous hit, Stranger on the Shore, stayed in the charts for a year after it was released in 1961, winning him four gold discs.

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

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/11204365/Jazz-clarinettist-Acker-Bilk-dies-aged-85.html

I wasn't particularly fond of Jazz but I loved some of the stuff that Aker Bilk did especially Stranger on the Shore. It's a magic piece of music that is so relaxing you just want to lay back and think of the peace and tranquility that looking out over the sea can bring.