At the age of 86, musician Frank Ifield, who contributed to the Beatles’ early success, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, according to his friend, journalist and music historian Glenn A. Baker.
Born in the UK but raised in Australia, Ifield returned to England in 1959 and quickly rose to fame. He stunned the UK in the 1960s with hits like “Confessin’ That I Love You,” “Lovesick Blues,” “I Remember You,” and “The Wayward Wind.” Ifield began his musical journey at 13 when he received a guitar as a present and taught himself to play, developing a love for country music and yodeling.
In just six years, Ifield released 44 records, becoming popular in Tasmania, New Zealand, and Australia. After moving to the UK, he introduced The Beatles to his followers, as they had opened for him. In 1965, he performed for the late Queen at the Royal Variety Show.
In 1986, Ifield contracted pneumonia and needed surgery to remove part of his lung, which injured his vocal cords and ended his musical career for many years. Despite this, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2005 for his contributions to the arts.
Ifield is survived by his wife Myra and their two children.