Acker Bilk was born January 28, 1929 in England. His father was a preacher and his mother played the organ in church.

In 1947, he was sent to prison for 3 months for falling asleep while on guard duty in Egypt. While in prison, Bilk learned to play the clarinet and in 1958, he formed the Paramount Jazz Band. In 1962, Bilk became the first British artist to have a number one song in America: "Stranger on the Shore". He is easily recognized by his goatee and bowler hat.

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