Frank recently received these images by email from an old friend, Stan Laundon, who for 21-years presented 'Country Time' on BBC radio. 'Dick Whittington' was the first pantomime Frank did in the UK, beginning on Christmas Day 1961 and running for 3 weeks, into 1962. Despite Frank playing the lead role, he only had one small hit called 'Lucky Devil' at this stage, with 'I Remember You' still to come. Ken Platt (playing 'Idle Jack') was a local comedian well known in Yorkshire, and The Shadows were a huge act and the hottest property in the country! In the photo below you can see Hank B. Marvin standing behind Jet Harris who is sitting beside Frank (in his costume as Dick) and Ken Platt is far left.
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10 Sept 2012: At 'The Entertainers' charity luncheon, Frank was the guest speaker... |
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...delighting the crowd with stories from his recent trip to the U.K. |
Frank with Dianne Lindsay and Peter Simpson. Dianne is the daughter of famed Australian singer Reg Lindsay who's biggest hit was Armstrong, John Stewart's song about the first Moonwalk and the future of the Earth. |
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...with Ken Davis (left), one of the world's most successful composers of instrumental ambient relaxation and environmental music, and Bob Howe (right).
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Sept 2012:
Frank was pleased to see that this month's Country Music Capital News magazine featured a story about his musical director and friend of 30 years, BOB HOWE.
The article talks about Bob's multi-faceted, worldwide career and agrees with Frank's assesment (further below) of Bob's most recent album, Colour My World.
Meanwhile, Bob's latest release is a new digital single of his instrumental composition, Celtic Bushman.
5 August 2012:
Celebrating the 80th birthday of a dear friend and oustanding steel guitarist,
KENNY KITCHING.
L to R:
Frank Ifield, George Payne, Kenny Kitching, Emma Hannah.
Camille Te Nahu & Stuie French (with Manaia), Kenny Kitching, Emma Hannah,
George Boyer, George Payne, Frank Ifield, Bob Howe, Peter Schulz
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29 June 2012: Frank Ifield is inducted on to The Coventry Music Wall of Fame...
(Photo courtesy of Tracy Dann)
Is that Amy and the Doctor?
No, it's Nicki and Frank with the real Tardis (just back from filming in Cardiff)
at BBC Birmingham after their guest spot on the Ed Doolan show.
(Photo courtesy of Tracy Dann)
On his recent visit to Liverpool, Frank Ifield was interviewed for Bay TV. You can watch PART ONE online, where Frank talks about his career highlights and more. Watch PART TWO as Frank remembers his time with the Beatles.
20 June 2012: Frank was a guest this morning on Radio 4's Midweek program, interviewed by Libby Purves along with former director of communications to Tony Blair, Alastair Campbell, Tommy Robert of the fashion label Mr Freedom and the Diva of Magic, Romany. You can Listen Again... HERE.
ITV's Fred Dinenage interviews Frank Ifield for
Meridian Tonight on UK Television.
Watch the replay ...
HERE !
17th June 2012: Frank appeared on the
ED DOOLAN Radio show on BBC West Midlands. It is available for replay during the following week only...
HERE! Listen as Toyah Willcox reveals being inspired by Frank Ifield!
(Photo courtesy of the BBC)
A BBQ was held in Frank's honour and the guest roll included many friends including past members of his long-standing backing band Barbary Coast, plus Ray and Anne Brett and past and present members of the Nicki Gillis UK touring party.
Reports are that a jolly good time was had by all.
June 2012:In Coventry, U.K. on June 29 the ceremony for this year's Music Wall of Fame will be held at 4pm.
FRANK IFIELD will be inducted and "...looks likely to remain Coventry's first and most successful recording star ever." Read more...HERE.
Meanwhile the Nicki Gillis 2012 UK Tour continues to roll across the nation to the delight of many fans. Frank is making a personal appearance at selected shows while simultaneously celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of I Remember You. Recently the tour also featured the talents of BEC LAVELLE (as heard on 'McLeod's Daughters') for eight days. Bec, Frank and Nicki are pictured on the right, outside the studios of BBC Merseyside.
(Photos courtesy of Tracy Dann)
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Sunday, 10th June 2012, FRANK IFIELD was the special guest of PAUL HAZELL's 'World Of Country' for a 3 hour broadcast special on Radio Uckfield FM 105-FM.
Go to the Radio Uckfield FM website, where you can
Listen Again to the highlights of the broadcast!
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2012 Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert...during the last hour...in the archive film they showed while the band played an instrumental version of U2's 'Beautiful Day'...
... did you spot Frank meeting Queen Elizabeth?
Thanks to Andy Dale for passing on this link about the 1965 show:
www.eabf.org.uk/royal-variety-performance/archive/1960s/1965
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1st June 2012:Winner of the 2009 Frank Ifield International Spur Award, NICKI GILLIS, commences her 4th tour of the UK today.
You can check her full Tour Dates and News Blog at www.nickigillis.com/Nicki_Gillis_UK_Tour_2012.html
***Please Note*** At selected shows, FRANK IFIELD will make a personal appearance!
Keep up to date by looking for posts on the Facebook page of the Frank Ifield Appreciation Group (Just search Facebook using the name of the group).
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Later this month will be the 50th anniversary of the release of Frank's mega-hit,
I Remember You !
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Although we try to prepare ourselves for the inevitable, it seems nigh impossible for me to accept it happening to my own beloved mother. However, thanks to the love and support of all my relations and friends, things are made easier to bear...for grief shared, is made somehow more tolerable. Nevertheless, I have still found it extremely difficult to write about the passing of someone who remains imbedded in my mind and soul. Yes, my mum is so unforgettable by all who knew her, but I feel these words reveal my inmost feelings...
"I will never forget my mother's face
The sound of her voice, the gentleness of her touch...
They let me know how much I was loved
I'll never forget the stories she told
The traditions she handed down
Let me know just who I am
I will never forget the lessons she taught
The things she stood for.
They are her gift and my legacy
I will never forget and will always strive
To honour her every day
In how I live and who I am."
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8 March 2012
...And The Winner of the International Spur Award for 2012 is...
Emma Hannah
"
It was a very special time and Emma was overwhelmed on receiving her award tonight from the stage of Bob Howe's Canterbury Country Show. The occasion was made even more enjoyable as she was unaware of it happening She had arrived with her newlywed husband - Steel Guitar player Kenny Kitching who has been a friend of mine since 1957 and was also sitting across from another of our friends of the 50's in George Payne (The Whispering Yodeller) and his wife Anne. I then joined their table with Wayne Horsburgh.
I first heard Emma sing on stage at Smithfield RSL only last year and was totally bowled over with her classy performance. She had all that I look for in my Spur award artists. I could understand every word she sang - her intonation was perfect with a unique vocal quality of feeling and expression.
On stage in the first half we had seen two previous Spur Award winners in Karen Lynne and Nicki Gillis who also have unique qualities. They have both gone on to have several top ten songs in the UK and European Radio Charts. In fact each one also reached number one with their own compositions: Karen had 'Blue Mountain Rain' and Nicki had 'Be A Star' and I look forward to be accompanying Nicki as she embarks on yet anther British tour in June this year.
Meanwhile, the moment of presentation had come and Richard Young from the Rotary Club of Galston brought the Award to me on stage. When I announced her name, a flush of excitement and surprise was written all over her face, then when she had finished her acceptance it began to feel like 'This Is Your Life' as I asked her to look behind her where, unbeknown to her, Kenny had brought on her whole family. What a lovely way to exit the stage. Not a dry eye in the house. I only worried how she would regain her composure to sing a few songs - but Emma, being the ever-consummate performer carried the day and sang beautifully.
Congratulations Emma."
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15 Feb. 2012:
At the 'MO' Nominations party, Frank congratulated all of the finalists for the 36th Australian Entertainment 'MO' Awards, including 'Frank Ifield International Spur Award' winners NICKI GILLIS and WAYNE HORSBURGH (The Slim Dusty Country Act of the Year category), JOHN STEPHAN (The Ricky May Male Performer of the Year category) and his long-time musical director BOB HOWE (Versatile/Variety Act category).
The Award winners will be announced on Tuesday 29th May 2012 at the Bankstown Sports Club.
Frank is pictured below at the nomination party with (left) the fellow showbiz legends
(left) Helen Zerefos and (right) Mary Schneider.
Photos courtesy of Glenn Ware, Toni Venditti and The MO Awards
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