Short career summary on Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield (born in 1937) is an British-Australian country singer who had a string of hits in the early 60s music scene, mostly registering on the UK singles chart. He was born Coventry in Warwickshire, England, but he and his family moved to Australian, settling in Dural which was next door to Sydney. Not yet 20 years old, he became one of Australia’s most popular recording stars, and also attained popularity in New Zealand. He returned to the UK in 1959 and cut his first record “Lucky Devil”, which was a considerable hit there. After a dry spell in the charts, he scored another hit with “I Remember You” which topped not only the UK chart but also on the US easy listening chart; it also climbed to the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 10 in 1962. Known also for his yodeling, he also scored other #1 UK hits such as “Lovesick Blues” (originally sung by Hank Williams), “The Wayward Wind” and “I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You)”. Ifield also performed at the prestigious Grand Ole Opry, and was introduced by one of his earliest idols, Hank Snow. He participated the Eurovision Song Contest in 1962 (with his song “Alone Too Long” which almost won), and in 1967 (with his entry “Ain’t Gonna Take No For An Answer” which eventually placed 12th). Ifield has released a total of eight albums, but only A Tale of Two Cities made it to the US country album chart in 1967. His last charting single was 1991’s “The Yodeling Song” which peaked at #40 on the UK chart, but he has still continued performing occasionally.
Early life
British-Australian singer and guitarist Frank Ifield was born Francis Edward Ifield on November 30, 1937 in Coundon, Coventry, Warwickshire, England. The easy-listening and country singer gained popularity particularly in the UK 60s music era with the hits “I Remember You,” “Lovesick Blues” and “Wayward Wind,” all of which became chart-toppers in his homeland. Raised by his Australian parents, his family later moved to Dural, Australia. From there, he listened mostly to hillbilly which was now called country music.
Music career
Ifield recorded a song called “Did You See My Daddy Over There” at the early age of 13. By the time he was 19 years old, he gained popularity in countries of Australia and New Zealand where he became a number one recording star. In 1959, Ifield decided to go back in the UK and released “Lucky Devil” the following year. It became his first UK hit single entering at #22 on the charts. Later, Ifield released six records which did not make any commercial impact until he issued “I Remember You” in 1962. It became his best known recording, staying for seven weeks at #1 on the UK singles chart. It also became Ifield’s only US Top Ten pop hit at #5; it also reached #1 on the US adult contemporary singles chart.
Later in 1962, Ifield issued the single “Lovesick Blues.” Originally sung by Hank Williams, Ifield’s version went #1 on the UK singles chart and #44 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 1963, he came up with another big hit “Wayward Wind” which also soared at #1 in the UK chart. Ifield was the first UK-based artist who achieved three straight #1 singles. He also had a singing appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in 1963 where he was introduced by Hank Snow, one of his heroes who taught him how to “yodel.”
In 1964, eight of Ifield’s tracks were included in the compilation album Jolly What! The following year, he had an acting stint in the comedy musical Up Jumped a Swagman. Ifield’s most recent activity was on Uckfield FM’s World of Country where he discussed his music career and his forthcoming induction to the Coventry Music Wall of Fame. It was aired on June 12, 2012.