23 Facts About Frank Ifield

Francis Edward Ifield OAM was a British-born Australian country music singer and guitarist who often incorporated yodelling into his music.

Frank Ifield released singles which were successful in Australia and New Zealand.

Frank Ifield relocated to Sydney in 1988 and was unable to sing or yodel for years as he recovered.

In 2003, Frank Ifield was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.

Frank Ifield was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007.

Frank Ifield's parents had travelled to England in 1936, where his father was an inventor and engineer who created the Ifield fuel pump, used in jet aircraft, for Lucas Industries.

The Frank Ifield family returned to Australia in January 1948 aboard the liner RMS Orion.

Frank Ifield was given a guitar in 1949 by his grandmother and was self-taught; he taught himself to yodel, by imitating country stars, including Hank Snow.

Frank Ifield's third single was a cover version of "Abdul Abulbul Amir", which was backed by his own composition, "A Mother's Faith".

Frank Ifield returned to the United Kingdom in November 1959.

Frank Ifield's next single was a double A-side, "Lovesick Blues" and "She Taught Me How to Yodel".

Frank Ifield had been told by his management not to yodel because it would brand him.

Frank Ifield twice entered the UK heats for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Frank Ifield came in second in the 1962 heat with "Alone Too Long".

In 2003, Frank Ifield was inducted into the Australian Roll of Renown.

Frank Ifield was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007.

Frank Ifield was first married to Gillian Bowden and the couple had two children.

Frank Ifield married Gillian Bowden, a dancer at the London Palladium, on 6 July 1965 at Marylebone Register Office, London.

Frank Ifield starred as Dave Kelly, and Bowden appeared as a dancer in the comedy musical film Up Jumped a Swagman.

In 1986, Frank Ifield contracted pneumonia and required surgery to remove part of a lung.

Frank Ifield died in Hornsby Hospital in Hornsby, New South Wales of pneumonia on 18 May 2024, at the age of 86.

On 10 June 2012, Frank Ifield joined Paul Hazell on his World of Country show on the community radio station Uckfield FM.

Frank Ifield discussed his life in music and forthcoming induction to the Coventry Music Wall of Fame.