– 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. – A shock Stephen Ackles has traveled around the country together with artist friends Vidar Busk and Paal Flaata with the show “A grand tribute to Elvis”. Vocalist Paal Flaata has collaborated with Ackles for a number of years. The two have also released albums together. Flaata is deeply saddened by the loss of his close friend and fellow musician. – There is only one Stephen, writes Flaata in a short SMS to news on Thursday evening. Vidar Busk, Paal Flaata and Stephen Ackles when they visited Allsang on the border. Photo: Thomas Andersen / TV2 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 of the concert, 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 news. The surprising death characterizes music Norway. – Incredibly sad to hear that you have left us, dear Stephen. The echo of your voice and your piano will linger here forever. Have a good trip, fine, writes Wig Wam vocalist Åge Sten Nilsen on his Facebook page. Stephen Ackles, Benedicte Brænden, Ivar Dyrhaug, Linda Kvam and Åge Sten Nilsen in the TV program Beat for Beat on news. Four x Elvis vocalists at Rockefeller’s Elvis Night: Jahn Teigen, Paal Flaata, Trond Granlund and Stephen Ackles. Stephen Ackles as a guest in the program Gundersen & Grønlund A/S, together with Ole Jørgen Grønlund and Bjørn Gundersen. From the news program “Hillbilly highway” from 1993. Pål Flaata, Stephen Ackles and Vidar Busk played during Allsang på grensen. Artist Marian Aas Hansen says she is in shock at the sad news. She says that she planned a big show together with Ackles for the spring. – Stephen will rock the hearts of both us and the fans forever. Our deepest condolences to the family. We will never forget you, she writes on Facebook. Set Elvis record Stephen Ackles set Elvis record in 2003. Photo: Erlend Aas / NTB 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. In 2003, Ackles set a world record when he sang Elvis songs for a full 30 hours, twelve minutes and one second. The record was later broken. In 2012, Ackles appeared in the news 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 news ever. The song was named cover song of the year. Stephen Ackles took part in Melodi Grand Prix three times, here in 1999 with the song “Lost Again”. Photo: Ørn E. Borgen / SCANPIX 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”. 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 leaves behind two children and grandchildren.
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Stephen Ackles is dead – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
