Remembering the life of legendary singer and guitarist Frank Ifield (86)
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The Australian music scene has lost one of its pioneering figures with the passing of Frank Ifield, a name that resonates with the golden era of music, both in Australia and abroad.
At the age of 86, the legendary singer and guitarist who once had The Beatles as his support act, passed away 'peacefully' on May 18.
Frank Ifield's journey into the annals of music history began in the suburbs of Sydney, where he grew up in Dural, nurturing a deep love for country music from a young age.
His passion was ignited when he received a ukulele for his 11th birthday, and it wasn't long before he was performing in class, feeling an instinctive pull towards a life in music.
His website recounts this pivotal moment, where he 'instinctively knew (music) was to be my calling’.
His grandmother's gift of a guitar at the age of 13 was the catalyst for Ifield to start writing his own songs, and it wasn't long before he secured a recording contract with EMI Regal Zonophone.
His talent quickly propelled him to stardom, and he was promoted to EMI’s prestigious Columbia Label, gracing radio and TV shows with his presence.
In 1959, Ifield took a gamble that would pay off immensely, moving to London to try his luck.
It was there that he became a household name in the UK, churning out four number-one hits in the 1960s: ‘I Remember You’, ‘Lovesick Blues’, ‘Wayward Wind’, and ‘Confessin’ (That I Love You)’.
But perhaps one of his most notable contributions to music history was giving The Beatles, then a burgeoning band, a chance to shine as the support act for his one-night-stand touring show.
Ifield's unique singing style, which melded his falsetto with a slight yodel, set him apart from his contemporaries and endeared him to fans across the globe.
His attempt to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest saw him come in second in 1962 with ‘Alone Too Long’, further cementing his place in the music world.
His talents weren't confined to the recording studio or the stage; Ifield also found success on the big screen, starring in the 1965 feature film Up Jumped A Swagman, and made appearances on several TV shows, including In Melbourne Tonight and Spicks & Specks.
Recognition for his contributions to the arts came in many forms. In 2003, he was inducted into the Australia Roll of Renown, followed by the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 2009, he was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his 'service to the arts as an entertainer’.
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Ifield wrote on his website, 'During my career, I have played all the places I dreamed of and more.'
His dreams took him far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
Frank Ifield is survived by his wife, Carole Wood, and his two children from his previous marriage to Gillian Bowden.
His voice, his style, and his charm will continue to live on through his recordings, in the memories of his fans, and in the history of Australian music.
Ifield has previously talked about his career here:
Source: Studio 10/YouTube
We offer our deepest condolences to Frank Ifield's family and friends at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
As we bid farewell to this iconic figure, we invite you to share your memories of Frank Ifield. Did you ever see him perform live, or perhaps you have a favourite song that takes you back to a special time in your life? Let's celebrate the life and artistry of Frank Ifield together in the comments below.
At the age of 86, the legendary singer and guitarist who once had The Beatles as his support act, passed away 'peacefully' on May 18.
Frank Ifield's journey into the annals of music history began in the suburbs of Sydney, where he grew up in Dural, nurturing a deep love for country music from a young age.
His passion was ignited when he received a ukulele for his 11th birthday, and it wasn't long before he was performing in class, feeling an instinctive pull towards a life in music.
His website recounts this pivotal moment, where he 'instinctively knew (music) was to be my calling’.
Frank Ifield passed away at the age of 86. Image source: @RadioTimes/X (Twitter)
His grandmother's gift of a guitar at the age of 13 was the catalyst for Ifield to start writing his own songs, and it wasn't long before he secured a recording contract with EMI Regal Zonophone.
His talent quickly propelled him to stardom, and he was promoted to EMI’s prestigious Columbia Label, gracing radio and TV shows with his presence.
In 1959, Ifield took a gamble that would pay off immensely, moving to London to try his luck.
It was there that he became a household name in the UK, churning out four number-one hits in the 1960s: ‘I Remember You’, ‘Lovesick Blues’, ‘Wayward Wind’, and ‘Confessin’ (That I Love You)’.
But perhaps one of his most notable contributions to music history was giving The Beatles, then a burgeoning band, a chance to shine as the support act for his one-night-stand touring show.
The Beatles played as Ifield’s support act in the UK. Image source: @Number96Bk/X (Twitter)
Ifield's unique singing style, which melded his falsetto with a slight yodel, set him apart from his contemporaries and endeared him to fans across the globe.
His attempt to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest saw him come in second in 1962 with ‘Alone Too Long’, further cementing his place in the music world.
His talents weren't confined to the recording studio or the stage; Ifield also found success on the big screen, starring in the 1965 feature film Up Jumped A Swagman, and made appearances on several TV shows, including In Melbourne Tonight and Spicks & Specks.
Recognition for his contributions to the arts came in many forms. In 2003, he was inducted into the Australia Roll of Renown, followed by the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007.
In 2009, he was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for his 'service to the arts as an entertainer’.
Reflecting on his illustrious career, Ifield wrote on his website, 'During my career, I have played all the places I dreamed of and more.'
His dreams took him far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry.
Frank Ifield is survived by his wife, Carole Wood, and his two children from his previous marriage to Gillian Bowden.
His voice, his style, and his charm will continue to live on through his recordings, in the memories of his fans, and in the history of Australian music.
Ifield has previously talked about his career here:
Source: Studio 10/YouTube
As we bid farewell to this iconic figure, we invite you to share your memories of Frank Ifield. Did you ever see him perform live, or perhaps you have a favourite song that takes you back to a special time in your life? Let's celebrate the life and artistry of Frank Ifield together in the comments below.
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