Frank Ifield Dead: '60s Icon Who Influenced The Beatles, Dies at 86

On May 18, Australian singer Frank Ifield, known for his series of successful singles in the UK music scene during the 1960s, passed away.

Glenn A. Baker, a trusted friend, music expert, and journalist, confirmed the 86-year-old's passing, noting the peaceful transition on the evening of May 18. He fondly remembered Ifield as a "remarkable man," according to 7News.

The reason behind the passing remains undisclosed. Ifield was 86.

Despite being an Australian citizen, Ifield's roots trace back to the United Kingdom, where he spent the initial 11 years of his life. His parents, Australians themselves, decided to return to their homeland, but Ifield always harbored a deep affection for the UK.

In 1959, he decided to embark on his music career by returning to the country that held a special place in his heart.

Deciding to journey back to Britain, Ifield had already initiated a music venture in Australia. His aspiration to elevate his career led him to the UK, where his dreams were met with success.

In his early days on the UK music scene, Ifield saw moderate success with his debut single, "Lucky Devil." However, it wasn't until 1962 that he truly made his mark with the chart-topping hit "I Remember You," dominating the singles chart for seven weeks.

From 1962 onwards, Ifield achieved the remarkable feat of securing four number-one songs in the UK, a significant achievement that preceded The Beatles' dominance on the charts.

Noteworthy is Ifield's role propelling the Fab Four to fame, as they had the opportunity to open for him in live performances following a collaboration arranged by Brian Epstein. This marked The Beatles' debut outside of their hometown of Liverpool.

Rapidly outshone by The Beatles in both status and favor, his influence on their journey was monumental during that era, despite The Beatles eventually moving on to greater achievements.

Towards the end of the 1960s, Ifield's influence had decreased notably, and he was no longer making waves in the music charts as he had in his earlier days. However, he experienced a resurgence in 1991 with his hit "The Yodelling Song," capturing a new audience and earning a spot in the UK Top 40.

Ifield's touring schedule remained active even though he hadn't released a complete album since 1985.

His last set of live performances in the UK was in 2018.