Stranger on the Shore
Stranger on the Shore is the title of the instrumental hit published by Acker Bilk in 1961 , which is one of the evergreens .
History of origin
Bilk's composition was originally called Jenny , which he named after her on the occasion of the birth of his daughter Jennifer. This composition remained unknown until the BBC asked him if his work could not be used as a theme song for the planned children's TV series Stranger on the Shore . The TV series started on the BBC on September 24, 1961, but ended after only 5 episodes on October 22, 1961. It was about a French au pair girl in England, who looks longingly at the coast towards France; it was the "stranger on the coast". However, the series gained such popularity in this short time that Acker Bilk's instrumental title was able to benefit from it.
The recordings were made before the start of the television series on August 12 and November 8, 1960 in the Lansdowne recording studios in London. However, the regular line- up of his Paramount Jazz Band (1960), consisting of Colin Smith (trumpet), Jonny Mortimer (trombone), Roy James (baritone saxophone), Ernie Price (bass) and Ron McKay (drums), was not present here. Rather, the experienced music producer Dennis Preston convinced the trad jazz musician Bilk to use violins with Stranger on the Shore . The Leon Young String Chorale was hired for this purpose . It was directed by the arranger Leon Edward Steven Young (born April 21, 1916, † January 1991). He made over bilks concept for a change from minor to major, and the charming, vibrato -oriented melody that the tremolo accompanied Tieftonklarinette of Acker Bilk. The sound engineer was Adrian N. Kerridge.
Publication and Success
The single Stranger on the Shore / Take My Lips (Columbia DB 4750; with another B-side in the US ) was released on November 25, 1961. It reached number two in the official charts in Great Britain , and on January 6, 1962, it even reached number one for one week in the chart of the music journal New Musical Express . She spent a total of 55 weeks on the official British charts. On May 26, 1962, the single became the first ever British number one hit in the US, which it held for a week. The single sold 1.16 million copies in the UK, over two million copies in the US and just under four million worldwide. Bilk was allowed to present the hit in the famous Ed Sullivan show on October 28, 1962. The record was the forerunner of the later British Invasion of the United States. She was also played in the hit film Holiday in St. Tropez (premiere in Germany: August 14, 1964). When Apollo 10 started on the lunar landing mission on May 18, 1969 , crew member Gene Cernan had the piece on board on a music cassette . Stranger on the Shore also appears in the movie Flamingo Kid (premiered December 21, 1984). For this, Bilk received a BMI Award in October 2004 for over four million performances on US radio. " Stranger on the Shore is my pension," said the bearded Bilk with his typical bowler hat about the royalties flowing for the world hit . However, under British copyright law, the 50-year protection period expired on December 31, 2011; the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) is currently advocating an extension to at least 60 or 95 years as in the USA.
Cover versions
At least 33 cover versions are known, mostly instrumental recordings. One of the few vowel versions was brought out by Andy Williams (text: Robert Mellin; June 1962, US-38), Lale Andersen presented the German version with the title A Stranger Man (text: Ralph Maria Siegel ; July 1962; rank 17), Nana Mouskouri took over the French version under the title Savoir Aimer (text by Christian Guitreaux; 1962). This was followed by only instrumental recordings , such as Bill Justis (LP Bill Justis Plays 12 Big Instrumental Hits ; recorded on July 24, 1962), Booker T. & the MG's (LP Green Onions ; August 27, 1962), Billy Vaughn (LP 1962's Greatest Hits ; December 1962), Duane Eddy (LP Twangin 'The Golden Hits ; May 13, 1964) or Boots Randolph (LP Boots With Strings ; June 1966).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Newark Advertiser, July 13, 2012, Acker no Stranger on the Shore
- ^ Fred Bronson: The Billboard Book of Number One Hits , 1985, p. 110
- ^ Joseph Murrells: Million Selling Records , 1985, p. 149
- ↑ 2004 BMI London Awards
- ^ Brian Morton, Richard Cook: The Penguin Jazz Guide , 2010, no page number
- ↑ Chapter 48, Section 13A (2) (a) Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 ; in force since August 1, 1989
- ^ Paul Fowles, Graham Wade: Concise History of Rock Music , 2012, p. 164