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Francis Edward Ifield OAM (30 November 1937 – 18 May 2024) was a British-born Australian
country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
singer and guitarist who often incorporated yodelling into his music. Born in the United Kingdom, Ifield grew up in rural Australia where he started performing hillbilly music in his teens. He released singles which were successful in Australia and New Zealand. He returned to the UK in 1959 where he had four number-one hits on the UK Singles Chart in the early 1960s with his cover versions of " I Remember You", " Lovesick Blues", " The Wayward Wind" and " Confessin' That I Love You". In 1986, he contracted
pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
, which resulted in removal of part of a lung and damage to his vocal cords. He relocated to Sydney in 1988 and was unable to sing or yodel for years as he recovered. In 2003, Ifield was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. Ifield was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the
ARIA Music Awards of 2007 The 21st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply ARIA Music Awards, The ARIAs) were held on 28 October 2007 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex. Rove McManus ...
. In June 2009, he was presented with the
Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...
for "service to the arts as an entertainer".


Career


Early years

Frank Ifield was born on 30 November 1937 in Coundon,
Coventry Coventry ( or rarely ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands county, in England, on the River Sherbourne. Coventry had been a large settlement for centurie ...
to Australian parents Richard Joseph Ifield (1909–1982) and Hannah Muriel née Livesey (c. 1916–2012), as one of seven sons. His parents had travelled to England in 1936, where his father was an inventor and engineer who created the Ifield fuel pump, used in jet aircraft, for
Lucas Industries Lucas Industries plc, now known as Lucas Automotive, is one of the world’s oldest continuously trading automotive brands, tracing its origins to 1875 and the first patent issued to its founder, Joseph Lucas. Based originally in Birmingham, t ...
. The Ifield family returned to Australia in January 1948 aboard the liner RMS ''Orion''. They lived near Dural, north-west of Sydney. It was a rural district and he listened to hillbilly music (later called country music) while milking the family's cow. He was given a guitar in 1949 by his grandmother and was self-taught; he also taught himself to yodel, by imitating country stars, including
Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (May 9, 1914 – December 20, 1999) was a Canadian country music guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' country charts betw ...
. The family moved to Beecroft, a Sydney suburb. At the age of 13, he performed his version of Bill Showmet's "Did You See My Daddy Over There?" and appeared on local radio station 2GB's talent quest, ''Amateur Hour''. This track was issued as his first single, in 1953, by
Regal Zonophone Records Regal Zonophone Records was a British record label formed in 1932, through a merger of the Regal and Zonophone labels. This followed the merger of those labels' respective parent companies – the Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramopho ...
. By November of that year, he appeared regularly on
Brisbane Brisbane ( ; ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and largest city of the States and territories of Australia, state of Queensland and the list of cities in Australia by population, third-most populous city in Australia, with a ...
radio station 4BK's ''Youth Parade'', playing guitar and singing, where, "All the artists in this programme are under 21 years of age." Note: includes a photo of Ifield with a group of fellow performers. His third single was a cover version of " Abdul Abulbul Amir" (September 1954), which was backed by his own composition, "A Mother's Faith". Note: For additional work user may have to select 'Search again' and then 'Enter a title:' &/or 'Performer:' In 1956, he hosted '' Campfire Favourites'' on local TV station
TCN-9 TCN is the flagship television station of the Nine Network in Australia. The station is currently located at 1 Denison Street, North Sydney. The licence, issued to a company named Television Corporation Ltd headed by Frank Packer, was one of the ...
, which "was the first weekly 'Western' programme by a local artist on Australian television." Note: includes a photo of Ifield. From that year to late 1957, he recorded six singles with a backing group, Dick Carr Buckaroos. In 1957, he recorded the track "Whiplash", which was used as the theme song for the British/Australian TV series of the same title from September 1960 to mid-1961. He toured the North Island of New Zealand in early 1959 where his single, "Guardian Angel", reached No. 1 on local radio charts. Ifield had two top 30 hits in that year on the
Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music historian David Kent from May 1974 through to January 1999. The chart was re-branded the Australian Music Report (AMR) in July 19 ...
, with "True" (September, No. 26) and "Teenage Baby" (November, No. 23). Note: Chart positions back calculated by Kent in 2005. He returned to the United Kingdom in November 1959.


1960s success

Ifield's first UK single, "Lucky Devil" (January 1960), reached No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart. His next six singles had less commercial success, but he had his first UK number-one hit with a cover version of the
Victor Schertzinger Victor L. Schertzinger (April 8, 1888 – October 26, 1941) was an American composer, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. His films include ''Paramount on Parade'' (co-director, 1930 in film, 1930), ''Something to Sing About (1937 fi ...
and
Johnny Mercer John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Wallichs Music Cit ...
1941 composition " I Remember You" (May 1962), which topped the charts for seven weeks. Known for Ifield's falsetto and a slight yodel, it was the second highest-selling single of that year in the UK, and became the seventh million-selling single. It is Ifield's highest charting single on the United States ''Billboard'' Hot 100, reaching No. 5. It also reached No. 1 on the Australian Kent Music Report. His next single was a double
A-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of vinyl records and cassettes, and the terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side of a single usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or ...
, " Lovesick Blues" and " She Taught Me How to Yodel" (October 1962). "Lovesick Blues", originally sung by
Hank Williams Hiram "Hank" Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. An early pioneer of country music, he is regarded as one of the most significant and influential musicians of the 20th century. W ...
, was treated in an upbeat "Let's Twist Again" style. The other track is a virtuoso piece of yodelling with the final verse – entirely yodelling – at double-speed. It also peaked at No. 1 in the UK, No. 2 in Australia, and reached No. 44 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100. He had been told by his management not to yodel because it would brand him. Nevertheless, he sang "She Taught Me to Yodel" as an encore for a
Royal Variety Performance The ''Royal Variety Performance'' is a televised variety show held annually in the United Kingdom to raise money for the Royal Variety Charity (of which King Charles III is life-patron). It is attended by senior members of the British royal ...
(November 1962), at the specific request of the Queen Mother for a yodelling song. His next single, " Wayward Wind", made him the first UK-based artist to reach No. 1 three times in succession on the UK charts. The only previous artist to have done so was
Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
. In Australia, it peaked at No. 16. His UK charting singles from 1963 were "Nobody's Darlin' but Mine" (April 1963, No. 4), " Confessin' (That I Love You)" (June, No. 1), " Mule Train" (October, No. 22) and " Don't Blame Me" (December, No. 8). In 1963, he sang at the
Grand Ole Opry The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a regular live country music, country-music Radio broadcasting, radio broadcast originating from Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, on WSM (AM), WSM, held between two and five nights per week, depending on the ...
, introduced by one of his heroes, Hank Snow. Many of his records were produced by
Norrie Paramor Norman William "Norrie" Paramor (15 May 1913 – 9 September 1979) was a British record producer, composer, arranger, pianist, bandleader, and orchestral conductor. He is best known for his work with Cliff Richard and the Shadows, both togethe ...
. Ifield was also featured on '' Jolly What!'', a 1964 compilation comprising eight of his tracks and four by
the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...
, which has been considered an attempt to cash in on
Beatlemania Beatlemania was the fanaticism surrounding the English rock band the Beatles from 1963 to 1966. The group's popularity grew in the United Kingdom in late 1963, propelled by the singles " Please Please Me", "From Me to You" and " She Loves Yo ...
. (
Vee-Jay Records Vee-Jay Records is an American record label founded in the 1950s, located in Chicago and specializing in blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll. The label was founded in Gary, Indiana, in 1953 by Vivian Carter and James C. Bracken, a ...
had acquired US distribution rights to the Beatles along with Ifield.) Despite changing trends, Ifield continued to have further top 40 hits in that decade including "Angry at the Big Oak Tree" (April 1964), "I Should Care" (July), "Paradise" (August 1965), "No One Will Ever Know" (June 1966), and "Call Her Your Sweetheart" (September). In 1965, he starred in " Up Jumped a Swagman" a movie about an Australian moving to London. it features many songs by Ifield. The same year he started in ''
Babes in the Wood Babes in the Wood is a traditional English children's tale, as well as a popular pantomime subject. It has also been the name of some other unrelated works. The expression has passed into common language, referring to inexperienced innocents ent ...
'', the London Palladium
pantomime Pantomime (; informally panto) is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment, generally combining gender-crossing actors and topical humour with a story more or less based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or ...
, which every year headlined with artists who had achieved popular success in the year. Ifield twice entered the UK heats for the
Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), often known simply as Eurovision, is an international Music competition, song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) among its members since 1956. Each participating broadcaster ...
. He came in second in the 1962 heat with "Alone Too Long" (losing to Ronnie Carroll). In the 1976 heat he tried with "Ain't Gonna Take No for an Answer", finishing last of 12.


Later years

In 1991, Ifield returned to the UK chart when a dance remix of "She Taught Me How to Yodel", renamed "The Yodeling Song" and billed as Frank Ifield featuring the Backroom Boys, reached No. 40 on the UK Singles Chart. In more than 30 years, it became his 16th appearance on the chart. The song was mentioned by Victor Meldrew in the ''
One Foot in the Grave ''One Foot in the Grave'' is a British television British sitcom, sitcom written by David Renwick. There were six series (each consisting of six half-hour episodes) and seven Christmas specials over a period of ten years from early 1990 to late ...
'' episode, "Love and Death". In 2003, Ifield was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown. Ifield was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the
ARIA Music Awards of 2007 The 21st Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (generally known as ARIA Music Awards or simply ARIA Music Awards, The ARIAs) were held on 28 October 2007 at the Acer Arena at the Sydney Olympic Park complex. Rove McManus ...
. In June 2009, he was presented with the
Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...
for "service to the arts as an entertainer". He was first married to Gillian Bowden (1965–88) and the couple had two children. His second marriage was to Carole Wood (1992 to his death). In 2005, he co-wrote his autobiography ''I Remember Me: the First 25 Years'', with Pauline Halford.


Personal life

Ifield married Gillian Bowden, a dancer at the
London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in Soho. The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1910. The auditorium holds 2,286 people. Hundreds of stars have played there, many wit ...
, on 6 July 1965 at Marylebone Register Office, London. Ifield starred as Dave Kelly, and Bowden appeared as a dancer in the comedy musical film '' Up Jumped a Swagman'' (December 1965). The couple had two children. In 1986, Ifield contracted
pneumonia Pneumonia is an Inflammation, inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as Pulmonary alveolus, alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of Cough#Classification, productive or dry cough, ches ...
and required surgery to remove part of a lung. As a result, his vocal cords were damaged, which meant he could not sing or yodel for years until they recovered. He and Bowden divorced in 1988 and he returned to Sydney to live. In 1992, he married Carole Wood, an airline hostess. Ifield died in Hornsby Hospital in Hornsby, New South Wales (NSW) of pneumonia on 18 May 2024, at the age of 86.


Bibliography

* *


Discography


Albums


Singles


Notes


Awards and honors

In June 2009, he was presented with a
Medal of the Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of then ...
, with a citation for "service to the arts as an entertainer." On 10 June 2012, Ifield joined Paul Hazell on his ''World of Country'' show on the community radio station Uckfield FM. He discussed his life in music and forthcoming induction to the Coventry Music Wall of Fame.


Australian Roll of Renown

The Australian Roll of Renown honours Australian and New Zealander musicians who have shaped the music industry by making a significant and lasting contribution to country music. It was inaugurated in 1976 and the inductee is announced at the Country Music Awards of Australia in Tamworth every January. , - , 2003 , Frank Ifield , Australian Roll of Renown ,


ARIA Music Awards

The
ARIA Music Awards The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (commonly known informally as ARIA Music Awards, ARIA Awards, or simply the ARIAs) is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Austr ...
is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of
Australian music The music of Australia has an extensive history made of music societies. Indigenous Australian music forms a significant part of the unique heritage of a 40,000- to 60,000-year history which produced the iconic didgeridoo. Contemporary fusions o ...
. It commenced in 1987. Ifield was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007. , - ,
2007 2007 was designated as the International Heliophysical Year and the International Polar Year. Events January * January 1 **Bulgaria and Romania 2007 enlargement of the European Union, join the European Union, while Slovenia joins the Eur ...
, Frank Ifield , ARIA Hall of Fame ,


Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. It recognised achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Ifield won one award in that time. (wins only) , - , 2009 , Frank Ifield , Hall of Fame , , -


References


External links

*
Frank Ifield with autograph seekers, 1962

Frank Ifield
discography at Music City * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ifield, Frank 1937 births 2024 deaths ARIA Award winners ARIA Hall of Fame inductees Musicians from Coventry Australian yodelers Columbia Graphophone Company artists MAM Records artists Vee-Jay Records artists Australian country guitarists Australian male singers Australian country singers Acoustic guitarists Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Australian male guitarists EMI Records artists