FRANK Ifield. Mention the veteran entertainer’s name and most people of a certain age will instantly break into that loved classic I Remember You – and don’t forget the oo!
Now 80, the seasoned performer is all set to thrill audiences as an ambassador at this year’s NSW Seniors Festival Expo at Sydney’s International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour, on April 5-6.
And as one of the hottest tickets at the NSW Seniors Festival this month, evergreen hitmaker Frank hasn’t forgotten how to put on a great show.
In his heyday he rubbed shoulders with famous record label mates like Cliff Richard and The Shadows and even shared a joint EP release with The Beatles.
But despite recording a number of international hits in the ’60s, Frank has always loved performing more than anything else and can’t wait to get on stage and launch the festival with a bang.
“I did a few songs last year and just loved the whole atmosphere,” he said.
“I could see everyone in the audience and they were absolutely enjoying every second of it.”
Frank rose to fame with a string of hits, beginning with Lucky Devil, which peaked at number 22 in the UK charts.
He went on to release a string of number ones including I Remember You, Wayward Wind and I’m Confessin’.
As a child in England he loved listening to Canadian radio program Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountaineers and developed a love of country music and yodelling.
He has memories of leading community singalongs in the air raid shelter during World War II when he was just six.
“It got into my blood then. I knew what I wanted to do, knew I wanted to be in showbusiness,” he said.
After his family moved to Dural in 1946, Frank found country music much more commonplace and easy to access. He liked to listen to it while milking cows.
By the age of 19 he had established himself as the country’s biggest recording star and set his sights on performing at the London Palladium.
Shortly after moving back to England he convinced producer and talent scout Norrie Paramor to record the country number Lucky Devil, which went on to chart despite Paramor’s scepticism about the track’s potential mainstream appeal.
When Frank played a country infused arrangement of a jazzy number called I Remember You for Paramor for the first time, the talented producer saw its potential immediately.
The song went on to become his first UK number 1, complete with a harmonica line that mirrors the first four notes of Waltzing Matilda, Paramor’s subtle nod to his client’s Australian upbringing and lineage.
Frank performed at the Palladium within three years of relocating, and with the help of his manager Peter Gormley went on to enjoy international success.
Eight of his songs were combined with several Beatles tracks on the EP Jolly What!, which was designed to introduce The Beatles music to American audiences.
Despite all his musical success, Frank’s first love was the theatre – he loves performing.
“I liked performing anywhere, but the performances I enjoyed most were done on stage,” he said. “Working in clubs is all very well, but doesn’t have the same atmosphere.”