Following the recent unveiling of the Chad Morgan bust, fundraising has started towards a bust in honour of Frank Ifield.

Saturday’s concert will start at 1pm at Southgate Inn, and will feature Lyn and Phil Manning, Greg Bain, Kate Daniel, Kevin Harris, Tom Manning, Rodney Walker, and Bob Gregory.

Born in England in 1937, Ifield came to Australia with his parents before he was 10 years old and grew up in Sydney. He was only 15 year-old when he started recording in Sydney and by the end of the 1950s had recorded more than 40 songs.

Ifield moved to London in 1959 where he had a string of hits, including his biggest, I Remember You, which made him the first Australian to sell one million records in Britain after it topped the charts for seven weeks in 1962.

He became the first artist to score three consecutive number one hits there, then another career highlight was performing on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1964. 

Ifield continued to perform through the 1970s and 80s until he suffered a bout of pneumonia and decided to return to Australia to rest. When his lungs collapsed after the flight he was rushed to hospital and was later told he would never sing again.

Entry to Saturday’s gig costs $10 at the door, which goes towards the bust.