Legendary singer who helped give The Beatles their start, Frank Ifield, dies aged 86
Iconic Australian singer Frank Ifield has died at 86 (Picture: Getty Images)
Legendary Australian singer Frank Ifield died this week at 86 years old.
A Facebook post revealed that Frank died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday night. The musician’s death was announced by his friend, music historian, and journalist Glenn A. Baker.
Growing up in the Sydney suburb of Dural, the icon developed a love for country music and yodelling.
After receiving a guitar from his grandmother at just 13, the young prodigy taught himself to play and began writing songs.
He soon found himself launched to stardom, and by time he was 19 he had released 44 records and was the top recording artist in Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.
The singer took things international in 1959, moving to London and cementing himself as a household name in the UK.
Frank leaves behind his wife Carole Wood(Picture: Getty Images)
He had four number-one hits on the UK singles chart: I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, The Wayward Wind, and Confessin’ That I Love You.
It was during this period of success that The Beatles opened for him, introducing the now legendary band to Frank’s already devoted audience.
The singer was a major household name in the UK in the 60s (Picture: Tony Russell/Redferns)
His extraordinary career also included performing in front of Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Show in 1965, starring in his own film Up Jumped a Swagman, and being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his contributions to the arts in 2009.
Frank leaves behind his wife Carole Wood, and his two children from his previous marriage to Gillian Bowden.
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