Frank's wife, Carole Ifield, would like to thank everyone who has sent condolences to her and all the family. Your messages and the outpouring of love for Frank have been a great comfort during this very sad time.
Frank Ifield 30 Nov 1937 - 18 May 2024
BBC NEWS: Sixties pop phenomenon Frank Ifield dies aged 86 by Mark Savage - Webpage
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: We'll remember you: Australian singer Frank Ifield by Glenn A Baker - Webpage
ABC NEWS (Australia): British-born Australian singer Frank Ifield, who helped give The Beatles their start, dies aged 86 by Jesse Hyland - Webpage
5th June 2024 - (pictured left)Julian Leeser MP spoke in the Federation Chamber and paid tribute to Frank Ifield.
Click Here to read his speech, as recorded in Hansard, the report of the proceedings of the Australian parliament.
24 March 2021 - A message from Frank:-
In the month of March each year I have held my International Spur Awards at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL and I am sorry to say there will be no more.
Since the awards concept in 1998, I have had the support of The Rotary Club of Galston. It started as The Frank Ifield Spur Award to promote Australian Country Music Artists and the first three winners were Colin Greatorix; Michael Carr and Melinda Schneider. Then in the year 2000 it became The International Spur Award to concentrate on overseas promotion and was presented to Wayne Horsburgh on my friend Bob Howe's Canterbury Country show.
Here is the advert for the last show we had in which the award went to the well known duo Carter & Carter.
On that bill were 3 of my Spur award winners that reached #1 in the UK & European Country Music Chart. They were Steve Passfield 2019, Karen Lynne 2007, and Nicki Gillis 2009 who had two number ones and toured the UK on numerous occasions.
I feel very proud to have brought the attention of the world to over 25 talented Australian artists.
There are too many people to thank individually so I can only give my sincere gratitude to all who have assisted me in making this Award so successful. Thank you all.
With the lack of live shows during 2020, Frank's Musical Director BOB HOWE has found time to work on his musical memoirs.
Those memoirs are available on-line, and you can read about how Frank and Bob first met in Australia 1982, when Bob was part of Donna Fisk's band in Melbourne.
In the next chapter, you'll find Bob working with Frank in the U.K. and eventually joining Frank's favourite backing band, Barbary Coast.
As the memoirs progress, there are bound to be many more stories that involve Frank!
Donna won The Frank Ifield International Spur Award in 2015 and later travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to record a full album, produced by Robert Angello.
14th July 2020:(From Frank) "I woke this morning to the sad news that our steel guitarist John Roche of the Barbary Coast band, seen here at the back right of the photo, had recently passed away. This photo is of the original members and features from the left John 'Bugsy' Malone (bass), Barry Fletcher (keyboards), drummer Clive 'Cozy' Dixon who let me know the sad news, myself, steeler John Roche and lead singer Robbo Robinson. I add my personal condolences to the family and all his friends. Vale my friend, with you go many fond memories."
KAREN, DAVID & MERELYN CARTER, STEVE, FRANK, NICKI (photo by Bob Howe)
As part of the award, Carter & Carter's track Stand Tall has been released for airplay in the UK and Europe and entered the country chart at #8 and then moved up to #6 for two consecutive weeks.
The award-night show was hosted by BOB HOWE
& the (7-piece) HILLBILLY HEAVEN band (Bob, Allan Tomkins, Terry Phillpot, Tomi Graso, Kenny Kitching, Clare O'Meara and George Washingmachine).
Surprise! (photo by Bob Howe)
Speech! (photo by Bob Howe)
Steve and Frank congratulate the new International Spur Award winners! (photo by Mark Turnbull)
Clare, Kenny, Tomi, MERELYN, DAVID, Bob (photo by Mark Turnbull)
Kenny, CARTER & CARTER (photo by Mark Turnbull)
More photos of the night can be found by clicking HERE...
Due to serious concerns around Coronavirus which are beyond our control, we regretfully advise that the Glen Street Theatre concert on 7 April 2020 has been cancelled, hopefully to be rescheduled at a later date.
Take this opportunity to personally meet
Frank Ifield after his show. During the show,
be taken on an unforgettable journey
through his fascinating life, career and
music. This journey carried him to the top of
his profession for over two decades and he
is still popular and very much loved
throughout the world today.
Frank's passionate desire to bring the
absolute best show experience every time
has earned him many honours and awards.
While still very young, Frank composed and
sang the theme song behind the popular TV
series Whiplash and hosted Campfire
Favourites, the first live music TV show in
Australia. He was a regular on Brian
Henderson's Bandstand then rocketed to
the top in England making the Guinness
Book of Records with a string of hits
including: Lucky Devil, Lovesick Blues, The
Wayward Wind, I'm Confessing and many
others and of course, I Remember You.
On Wed 17 July 2019, Frank performed his show 'Frank Ifield - Encore On-Stage' to a rapturous audience at The Art House Theatre in Wyong on the NSW Central Coast.
FRANK and RICHARD YOUNG from the Rotary Club of Galston with STEVE PASSFIELD (photo by Phil Cole)
As part of the award, Steve's track Old Friends has been released for airplay in the UK and Europe and entered the country chart at #14, moved in to the Top Ten in its second week and climbed to #6 in the third week, in the fourth week #3 and finally... NUMBER ONE for two weeks!!
Steve then held the number two slot for three more weeks (so far...)
The award-night show was hosted by BOB HOWE
& the (8-piece) HILLBILLY HEAVEN band (Bob, Allan, Terry, Tomi, Kenny, Clare, George & Greg).
More photos of the night can be found by clicking HERE...
I Remember You-hooooo! FRANK, DONNA and JOHN (photo by Phil Cole)
FRANK holds court for the finale song...'I Remember You' (photo by Phil Cole)
RICHARD, NICKI, FRANK, DONNA, STEVE, JOHN (photo by Phil Cole)
Enjoying the night: KENNY KITCHING, FRANK, NICKI and COL JOYE (photo by Dianne)
Ambassador Frank - Australia Day 2019
Frank was delighted to enjoy Australia Day 2019 with the Balranald Shire Council. Both Balranald and Euston celebrated with a Flag Raising, Australia Day address by Ambassador Mr Frank Ifield, the Affirmation Ceremony and Presentation of Australia Day Awards.
To Tamworth...or Bust!
18th January 2019 in Bicentennial Park, Tamworth, a bronze bust of Australian country music pioneer Frank Ifield was unveiled. The sculpure can be found in the renamed Country Music Capital's Pioneers Parade in the park, along with busts of several other legends.
Frank with the newly unveiled bust.
...with sculptor Kate French.
...with Organiser/Fundraiser Lorraine Pfitzner, Chad Morgan who performed at the unveiling, and Singer/Fundraiser Dianne Lindsay.
The plaque below the bust.
Photos, with thanks to Sharon Ifield and Dianne Lindsay.
A message from Frank:
This book on Buddy Holly published by McNidder& Grace is the latest by the well-known English author and BBC broadcaster Spencer Leigh who has written many music biographies including Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Presley, The Beatles and Frank Sinatra.
While on my 2018 UK tour, Spencer and I got together in Liverpool where he, knowing I had actually met Buddy Holly, asked me to do the foreword to this book. This was an honour to be able to relate the story of our historical meeting.
The book is available in both Paperback and Kindle formats via Amazon in the
U.S.A.
It's All About Australia!
Thursday 14th and Friday 15th December 2018
at the Penrith Paceway Showroom
The legendary FRANK IFIELD together with the great entertainer ROSS HUTCHINSON and the newest of Australia's shining stars.
'It's All About Australia' - A Complete Night Out!
Frank's Juke Box Jury:
Currently spinning in Frank's CD player is the latest offering from his friend and Musical Director BOB HOWE. It is a collection of 21 instrumentals and 3 songs that are either themes or tunes closely connected with Movies and TV shows. Everything from Exodus to Midnight Cowboy to Local Hero and highly recommended by Frank!
TV & Radio Broadcaster Susie Elelman will be hosting non-stop entertainment on the Rhythmboat Live Stage over two days. The stage will feature plenty of giveaways and performances from country music legend Frank Ifield, the NSW Police Band, Oscar Kami and Mamamia: A Tribute to ABBA.
The NSW Seniors Festival is an annual fun, free event featuring over 50 exhibitors and plenty of giveaways. The Expo takes place alongside the Premier's Gala Concerts on Thursday 5 & Friday 6 April.
Where: Hall 4, Exhibition Centre, International Convention Centre (ICC), 14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW 2000
When: Thursday 5 April, 9am - 6pm & Friday 6 April, 9am - 3pm
Frank Ifield is on the cover of the August issue of Westerner magazine and inside he is interviewed by Editor Nick Wale, revealing much about Frank's recording career. Below is an extract from the beginning of the article, followed by a link to download your free copy of the magazine!
It's great to meet you, Frank. I'm very excited about this interview. I grew up listening to your records.
Thank you! It's great to meet you, too.
You're actually from Coventry, just down the road [from me], aren't you?
I was born in Coventry, but I moved when I was around three years old-so I don't remember much about Coventry.
How did you first become interested in singing?
We moved to London during the Blitz. That's where I first started singing-in the air raid shelters. I was around six years old, singing 'Ten Green Bottles' in front of the class.
How did you start your actual recording career?
I came out to Australia in 1948. I was ten years old. I spent the next ten years in Australia. When I was thirteen, I made my first recording that was with Regal Zonophone. I was still going to school, and my dad wasn't giving me a lot of encouragement at that point as he thought showbusiness was too precarious. I pursued my dream, and what I wanted to do, and it worked. He was quite happy with it in the end. The first recording I did was Australia's Amateur Hour, on the radio, which I didn't win by the way. I came second on it. It was a bit of a downer-but the recording company heard what I did and enjoyed it and got me to record for them. So, in one sense, I won.
It must have been the same feeling for you as the Eurovision Song Contest...
That's right. It was strange that. That was when I was with singer Matt Monro, 'A Song for Europe.' I remember Matt very clearly. I had a song called 'I Can't Get Enough of Your Kisses'. We were betting on each other's songs. I thought he would win and he thought mine would win-and neither of us won. Matt had a big hit with his song when it was released, and I didn't release mine as it came third. However, I found out later that my song went to number one on the sheet music charts. Later, I did it with 'Alone Too Long', which missed out too. I never won a contest in my life.
But you did score three consecutive number ones...
To find out the answer to this great question, and an interview filled with others, you can download your copy of 'Westerner' here. It's free and also includes interviews from singing sensation Connie Francis and 'British Invasion' star Brian Poole.
While on his recent UK tour, Frank Ifield visited Uckfield FM to be part of Paul Hazell's World Of Country. Broadcast in two parts, the theme for the shows was 'He Did It Frank's way'. Paul and Frank chose a wide range of classic country originals to play, each being followed by Frank's cover version. The result highlighted the originality of Frank's vocals and the musical arrangements of Norrie Paramor and others.
Frank Ifield, TROY KEMP, Richard Young (Galston Rotary) This was the 20th International Spur Award to be presented!
As part of his prize, Troy Kemps's recording 'Small Town Girl' has been released for airplay in the UK and Europe. In its first week it entered the country chart at #9 and has now moved from #7 up to #6.
Frank and Richard surprise Troy onstage
SPUR WINNERS:- NICKI GILLIS (2009), WAYNE HORSBURGH (2000), FRANK, EMMA HANNAH (2012), NEILLYRICH (2016), TROY KEMP (2017)
Also in Sydney:
Frank performed and talked with TV & Radio Broadcaster Susie Elelman on the Rhythmboat Live Stage at the 2017 NSW Seniors Festival Expo on Tue 7 March and Wed 8 March at the Sydney International Convention Centre. Thanks to David Lazarus of the Sydney Harbour Rhythmboat for these photos:
Sunday 5th March 2017:
Frank Ifield was the special guest on Radio 3AW in Melbourne on the 3AW Nightline show with Philip Brady, Simon Owens and Kevin Trask.
You can hear a full podcast of the interview by clicking HERE...
Frank celebrating his birthday in November with JIM HAYNES, MELANIE DYER, AMBER LAWRENCE and WAYNE HORSBURGH. Thanks to Gaye Johnson-Weeks for the photo.
Frank was also on-hand at the December Canterbury Country show in Sydney, to help the show's producer (and Frank's Musical Director) BOB HOWE celebrate his birthday!
FRANK IFIELD backstage with 2015 'SPUR' Award-Winner DONNA FISK and producer BOB HOWE (photo by Laura Gillis)
WAYNE HORSBURGH and BOB singing Bye Bye Love which appears on Bob's new CD 'Act Naturally' (photo by John Dalton)
Co-Host and 2009 'Spur' winner NICKI GILLIS on Air Guitar and BOB on Tomkins Guitar (photo by John Dalton)
In the audience, FRANK, JOHN DALTON (co-writer with Bob of Wayne's Diamantina Yodel), WAYNE HORSBURGH and 2RRR-FM Broadcaster MICHAEL PARSONS (photo by Therese Dalton)
23 November 2016: Today at The Star in Sydney, ARIA (the Australian Recording Industry Association) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the ARIA Awards. Pictured above is the plaque in ARIA Hall Of Fame Walk at The Star commemorating the 2007 induction of FRANK IFIELD into the ARIA Hall Of Fame. Thanks to Robert Rigby for the photo.
Thanks to Todd who sent in these two photos of his Mother. Frank remembers Lynette (below left) as being a fine singer and the photo below right was taken at the airport on the 4th November 1959, just before Frank boarded the inaugural Comet flight to London. He also recalls that their mutual friend 'Laine Goddard "... wrote my first major hit here in Australia. It was a done to a slow rock and roll beat and called 'TRUE', based on the Overture from Swan Lake by some bloke called Tchaikovsky and arranged by Australia's legendary Jazz king Don Burrows". A blast from the past!
FANFARE RECORDS MEDIA RELEASE: FRANK IFIELD: THE ORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN SUPERSTAR RETURNS!
His Ultimate Collection of 22 Classic Hits & Rarities for the 1st time!
Frank Ifield started his career as a country singer in 1950 aged thirteen with an appearance on radio 2GB’s “Australia’s Amateur Hour” which led to stage shows with Tim McNamara and touring country NSW with Indian wrestling star “Big Chief Little Wolf” and then progressed to a recording contract with EMI aged 14.
At the end of the fifties, after releasing in excess of 40 records on the Regal Zonophone and then Columbia label and gaining wide experience of TV Shows from the very commencement of Australian television with his own show “Campfire Favourites, he returned to Britain in November 1959 to further his career with the burning desire to play the London Palladium.
After signing with Columbia Records in England he quickly gained credibility with his first release as a top 30 hit “Lucky Devil”. BY 1962 he created history and International recognition with a country/pop style recording of “I Remember You” which became the first single to sell in excess of one million copies in the UK alone. The next two, million-selling singles ensured another accolade as the first artist in the UK to have three consecutive number ones.
From the sixties to the eighties with scores of hits including seven individual number ones, his career became firmly established globally where history claims him as the first Australian to make the American Charts, and the primary trailblazer to open up America to the British invasion of the 60’s.
ENCORE TRACKLISTING
01 (Her Name Was) Joanne
02 Till I Waltz Again With You
03 Hearts On Fire
04 Silver Wings
05 I Remember You (Stereo Version)
06 I Wrapped Her In Ribbons
07 (I’ll Be Your) Hold Me Tight
08 Up, Up & Away
09 Forgettin’ About You
10 Close The Door
11 Angry At The Big Oak Tree
12 Play Waltzing Matilda Again
13 Crystal (I Can See Thru You)
14 You Only Live Once In Awhile
15 A Little Bit Of Push
16 Praised Be
17 California Cotton Fields
18 If Love Must Go
19 Broken Lady
20 Please
21 Good Hearted Woman
22 Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast
Australia's own 60s pop superstar, Frank Ifield, returned to the stage for two very special Mother's Day shows where he told his story and performed some of his hit songs for the first time in 30 years.
At the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre - Frank and the cast on stage: Brodie Miles (as Young Frank), Wayne Horsburgh, Frank, Nicki Gillis and the band.
During this two-hour extravaganza where he told stories of his time at the top of the charts, he performed half a dozen of his hit songs and introduced some guest artists who sang other songs from the era when pop was grand.
Wayne Horsburgh, Frank Ifield, Nicki Gillis
This new show added the performance of his hit songs and lived up to its promise of being a delightful journey down memory lane for all ages.
Frank Ifield is in the top ten for UK musicians who have spent longest at number one in the charts. Frank spent 17 weeks at number one in the sixties. This places him tenth in the list, just behind The Rolling Stones on 18 weeks.
Frank Ifield had hits in 1962 with I Remember You and The Wayward Wind as well as in 1963 with Lovesick Blues and Confessin' (That I Love You).
The top ten UK artists who have spent longest at number one are:
As part of their prize, NeillyRich's recording 'Sure Feels Good To Me' has been released for airplay in the UK and Europe. In its first week it was the highest new entry on the country chart at #10, leapt to #5 in its second week and rose to #2. It continued to stay in the Top 20 for record number of weeks.
FRANK with 2014 winners STUIE FRENCH & CAMILLE TE NAHU
FRANK with previous winners NICKI GILLIS (2009) and WAYNE HORSBURGH (2000)
NeillyRich ... surprise!
FRANK IFIELD with AMELIA RICHARDS and MATT McNEILLY
...with Organiser/Fundraiser Lorraine Pfitzner, Chad Morgan who performed at the unveiling, and Singer/Fundraiser Dianne Lindsay.
Frank's Juke Box Jury:
EMMA HANNAH, KENNY KITCHING, TROY KEMP, NICKI GILLIS, FRANK, RICHARD YOUNG
