Legendary Ink Spots Singer Lived Quietly in B.C.—Now His Music Thrives in Popular Video Game

For decades, Bill Kenny was a music legend, his soaring tenor voice leading the Ink Spots to millions of record sales and breaking racial barriers in the U.S. music industry. But in his later years, Kenny lived a quiet life in Vancouver, where his fame was largely overlooked.

Even today, many in B.C. may not recognize his name—but his voice has found a new generation of fans through movies, TV, and video games, especially the Fallout franchise.

The Ink Spots’ Timeless Sound

Founded in the 1930s, the Ink Spots revolutionized music with their distinct blend of smooth harmonies, spoken-word basslines, and nostalgic melodies. Hits like If I Didn’t Care and I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire cemented their place in history.

Music historian Austin Casey, a dedicated fan, says Kenny’s melancholic yet soothing vocals give the Ink Spots an enduring charm.

"The sound was so different and magical," Casey said. "That’s why it will endure forever."

In recent years, their music has been rediscovered—appearing in The Shawshank Redemption, countless commercials, and the Fallout video game series, where it has become a signature part of the franchise’s retro-futuristic aesthetic.

From Music Star to Vancouver Resident

Kenny joined the Ink Spots in 1936, helping them achieve global fame. But by the 1950s, the group had disbanded due to legal battles and changing music trends.

His life took a new turn in 1948, when he performed at Vancouver’s Cave Supper Club and met Audrey McBurney, whom he later married. The couple eventually settled in Vancouver in the 1960s, where Kenny continued performing while embracing a quieter life.

In a 1964 interview, Kenny noted that Vancouver was more accepting of interracial couples compared to the U.S., which influenced his decision to stay.

By 1966, he even hosted his own CBC show, The Bill Kenny Show, though his presence in the Canadian entertainment industry remained understated.

Fallout’s ‘House Band’

Despite his low profile in B.C., Kenny’s legacy exploded in an unexpected way—through the Fallout video games.

Mark Lampert, a sound engineer on the franchise, says the Ink Spots’ signature sound has been a part of the game since 1997.

"It would be a shocking void if you didn’t hear those guitar notes at the start of one of the Fallout games," Lampert said.

The Amazon Prime Fallout TV series also heavily featured the Ink Spots’ music, with music supervisor Trygge Toven calling them “almost the house band of the series.”

"There’s something about Bill’s voice—it’s sweet, but also sorrowful. It connects with emotion, which makes it perfect for storytelling," Toven said.

A Quiet Life, A Lasting Legacy

Despite his musical contributions, Kenny’s life in Vancouver was not without hardship.

In 1969, he suffered severe burns when a gas leak caused his car to explode in a garage fire. Later, he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease.

But even with health challenges, Kenny continued to perform until his death in 1978 at age 63.

After his passing, radio broadcaster Jack Cullen lamented that Vancouver never truly recognized Kenny’s contributions:

"He sold so many millions of records. Vancouver was not the place for him—he was like a fish out of water."

Still, Kenny himself once said:

"If a song is worth singing, it should bring pleasure and leave pleasant memories."

Through Fallout, film, and television, his voice continues to do just that—bringing a timeless sound to new generations in the most unexpected places.