Who was Frank Ifield? Country legend credited with helping to launch The Beatles dies at 86

Country music singer Frank Ifield died on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the age of 86 years. The singer who died peacefully in his sleep, had four number one hits in the UK. The news of Ifield's demise was first shared on Facebook, by journalist Glenn A. Baker, who is also a friend of the country legend.

Frank Ifield had left behind his wife Carole Wood and two children whom he shared with his former wife Gillian Bowden. In the Facebook post, Baker wrote,

"I just took a call from David Ifield, telling me that his brother FRANK IFIELD peacefully passed on this Saturday night, at age 86."

The country singer also played a role in the rise of the rock band The Beatles. Ifield reportedly told his agent to give the band a slot to perform at one of his concerts.

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Country legend Frank Ifield's life and career explored after his passing

Frank Ifield, born in Coventry, England, was first gifted a guitar by his grandmother and learned to play it by himself. The Sun reported that the singer had released about 25 studio albums in a period of just six years. Ifield also became the top recording artist in three countries - Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.

Four of Ifield's songs made it to the top in the United Kingdom - I Remember You, Lovesick Blues, The Wayward Wind, and Confessin' That I Love You. I Remember You, which was released in 1962, topped the UK charts for six consecutive weeks.

In 1986, after the country singer was diagnosed with pneumonia due to which a part of his lungs was removed, he went through a difficult phase in his life. The incident affected his ability to yodel as well as sing. In the Facebook post that Baker uploaded, he described Ifield as a "remarkable" man.

7News reported that the late singer developed an interest in country music at a very young age. When he was 11 years old, his parents got him a ukulele and he performed using it in his class. This made him believe that music was the future for him. On his official website, Ifield wrote,

"This experience whetted my appetite for what I instinctively knew was to be my calling."

After signing with Columbia Label, Ifield made appearances on numerous radio as well as TV shows. It was in 1959, that the singer decided to move to London to try his luck abroad. He further wrote,

"My sights were set high now and I was determined to try my luck overseas with the London Palladium as my goal."

While giving massive hits over time, he also paved the way to success for The Beatles, who garnered a big fanbase after performing in his concert once. Ifield's last album I Remember These, was dropped back in 1985; and his last single She Taught Me How To Yodel was released in 1991. The country singer was later honored with the Medal of the Order of Australia in June 2009.

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Social media platforms have been flooded with tributes after the news became public

Several well-known personalities, friends, and fans have sent their heartfelt tribute and condolences after the demise of the country legend. Radio host Luke Davies wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter,

"Very Sad to hear that Frank Ifield has passed away. He was instrumental in the music scene during the 1960's. Although a bit before my time, I used to love playing this song on the radio. Just Timeless and Relaxing..."

Columnist Pete Chambers, who was also a close friend, wrote,

"RiP to my great friend @FrankIfield we will always remember you, your legendary talent as a musician and above all your kindness as an extraordinary human being."

Artist John Henry Horne also sent his tribute to the late singer on X. Horne wrote how he loved several of Ifield's songs including I Remember You. He posted,

"Very sad news to hear of legendary singer Frank Ifield has died, loved his songs, what an amazing voice he had..."

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Frank Ifield became the first artist after Elvis Presley to have released three songs that consecutively topped the UK charts. On his official website, Ifield wrote about his reaction when he was told that he could never sing again after the health crisis struck. Over his entire career period, he released several songs that made it to the UK Singles Chart as well as the Billboard Hot 100.

Songs that made it to the charts in the UK included Lucky Devil, Gotta Get A Date, Nobody's Darlin' But Mine, and Don't Blame Me, among several others. Some of his single tracks which made it to the Billboard Hot 100 were Confessin' (That I Love You) and Please.