Bernard Stanley "Acker" Bilk MBE (28 January 1929 – 2 November 2014)

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WIKIPEDIA BIO The musician, was known for performing in a garish waistcoat and bowler hat, was the first UK act to top the US charts in the 1960s. Bilk was an English clarinettist and vocalist, billed as Mr. Acker Bilk on many of his recordings. He is 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 second No. 1 single in the United States by an English artist in the era of the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. English clarinettist and vocalist, billed as Mr. Acker Bilk on many of his recordings. He is 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 second No. 1 single in the United States by an English artist in the era of the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Bilk married his childhood sweetheart Jean, whom he met in the same class. The couple had two children, one a daughter, Jenny, after whom a composition was named. After living near London in Potters Bar for many years, the couple retired to Pensford. In 2000, Bilk was diagnosed with throat cancer, which treated through surgery was then followed by daily radiotherapy at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre. Subsequently he had had eight keyhole operations for bladder cancer, and suffered a mini stroke.He died on 2 November 2014 at the age of 85.

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