Legendary Australian singer and guitarist Frank Ifield has died aged 86.
The iconic musician’s passing was announced by his friend, music historian and journalist Glenn A. Baker, who revealed on Facebook that Frank peacefully died in his sleep on Saturday night.
He is survived by wife Carole Wood and two children who he shared with ex-wife Gillian Bowden.
Frank, who was born in England but grew up in Australia, boasted a glittering music career that began when he was just 13 years old.
At the time the teenager was living in the Sydney suburb of Dural, where he worked on his parent’s farm and often listened to country music.
Legendary Australian singer and guitarist Frank Ifield has died aged 86. (Frank is pictured in 1965)
After being given a guitar by his grandmother, the talented youngster taught himself how to play and began writing songs that included yodelling.
By the time he was 19, Frank had released 44 records and had become the number one recording artist in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania.
Taking a risk at the peak of his stardom Down Under, Frank moved to London in 1959 and went on to release four number-one hits on the UK singles chart – his cover versions of the songs I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, The Wayward Wind and Confessin’ That I Love You.
He is survived by wife Carole Wood (right) and two children who he shared with ex-wife Gillian Bowden
Frank, who was born in England but grew up in Australia, boasted a glittering music career that began when he was just 13 years old. (Frank pictured after being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2007)
By the time he was 19, Frank had released 44 records and had become the number one recording artist in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania
Three of these hits came before the Beatles shot to fame, and for a period of time he even allowed the British band to perform as his opening act.
Other accomplishments include performing in front of Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Show in 1965, starring in his own movie Up Jumped a Swagman, and being presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the arts as an entertainer in 2009.
In 1986, Frank was diagnosed with pneumonia and underwent surgery to remove part of a lung.
His vocal cords were damaged during the surgery, which prevented him from singing and yodelling for years.
In 2005, Frank co-wrote his autobiography, I Remember Me: the First 25 Years.
Taking a risk at the peak of his stardom Down Under, Frank moved to London in 1959 and went on to release four number-one hits on the UK singles chart – his cover versions of the songs I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, The Wayward Wind and Confessin’ That I Love You
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