Frank Chacksfield, born Francis Charles Chacksfield on May 9, 1914, in Battle, East Sussex, England, was a celebrated pianist, organist, composer, and conductor of light orchestral music. A key figure in the easy listening genre, he gained international fame in the 1950s and 1960s.
As a child, he mastered the piano and organ, performing publicly by age 14. Despite initial parental resistance, he pursued music, leading a small band in Kent by the late 1930s. During World War II, he served in the Royal Army Service Corps and arranged for the entertainment troupe Stars in Battledress.
Post-war, Chacksfield worked with BBC Radio and luminaries like Henry Hall and Geraldo. In 1953, he signed with Decca Records, forming a 40-piece orchestra known for its lush string sound.
His hits “Ebb Tide” and “Limelight” earned gold discs, with “Ebb Tide” topping U.S. charts. Selling over 20 million albums worldwide, he rivaled Mantovani in popularity.
Chacksfield also arranged the UK’s first Eurovision entry in 1957. His career spanned decades, with his final album released in 1991. He passed away on June 9, 1995, in Kent, leaving a lasting legacy in mood music.
