– It is with great sadness that we have to announce that the musician Stephen Ackles has passed away. He was found in his home at Langhus today. The family asks for peace in their grief, says brother Erik Ackles to NTB.
The Norwegian-American artist and songwriter from Brevik in Telemark had a large musical repertoire. He played country, gospel and blues, but first became known as a skilled interpreter of 1950s rock artists.
Since the early 90s, he has released a long series of albums and was nominated for the Spellemannprisen three times.
Stephen Ackles with Dag Erik Pedersen and Paal Flaata in 2018.
Photo: AUD DARRUD / NRK
He was a great piano entertainer who also toured Europe, the USA and Asia. He has played with, among others, Johnny Cash, Elton John, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kris Kristoffersen and Tom Jones.
– A shock
At the weekend, Ackles was on stage during an Elvis weekend at Rjukan in Telemark.
It is believed to be his last concert before his death. Friend and organizer Pål Granlund takes the news seriously.
– It’s a big shock. He was here on Saturday and put on a very good show. It was among Elvis friends. We can’t really figure it out. He was in good shape then, says Granlund to NRK.
Set Elvis record
In 2003, Ackles set a world record when he sang Elvis songs for a full 30 hours, twelve minutes and one second.
Stephen Ackles set an Elvis record in 2003.
Photo: Erlend Aas / NTB
The record was later broken.
In 2012, Ackles appeared in the NRK program Trygdekontoret with a cover of Paul Wibier’s song “Satan”, which made VG’s Anders Giæver wonder if this was the best music feature on NRK ever.
The song was named cover song of the year.
The following year, the comeback album “For More Than Only Tonight” followed.
In 2017, he toured with the sister of rock legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Linda Gail Lewis, with the show “Great Balls of Fire”.
Stephen Ackles took part in Melodi Grand Prix three times, here in 1999 with the song “Lost Again”.
Photo: Ørn E. Borgen / SCANPIX
He also participated three times in the Norwegian final of Melodi Grand Prix.
Ackles was also an actor and has, among other things, done the voice of Rive Rolf and the baking smurf in The Smurfs 2.
Ackles is survived by two children and grandchildren.
2023-09-28 15:37:31
#Stephen #Ackles #dead
