Acker Bilk

1929 - 2014

5 Quotes

Biography

Acker Bilk, born as Bernard Stanley Bilk, was an English clarinetist and bandleader known for his trademark goatee, bowler hat, and striped waistcoat. He rose to fame in the early 1960s with his band, the Paramount Jazz Band, and achieved international success with his instrumental track "Stranger on the Shore," which topped the charts in both the UK and the USA. Bilk's unique style bridged traditional jazz with mainstream popularity, making him a household name around the world.