Francis Joseph Davidson (12 January 1934 − 22 July 2022)Frankie Davidson Dies Aged 88 was an Australian entertainer who had several hit records in the 1960s, appeared on many TV variety shows, and acted in several Australian television police dramas, including Matlock Police and Bluey, as well as guest roles in soap operas including A Country Practice, E Street and Home and Away and a small role in film Muriel's Wedding.
Career Davidson was born in Black Rock, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria.
While undergoing compulsory National Service training, he sang to entertain fellow recruits, and was an early adopter of the rock 'n' roll idiom. In 1959 he signed to W&G Records, and in 1960 found success with his single I Care for You. A "zac" was a six penny piece, worth about a dollar in today's money.
His next success was a comedy song "Yabba Dabba Doo" (referencing the Flintstones catchphrase) in 1961, followed by "Have You Ever Been to See Kings Cross" in 1962, a humorous ditty sung at breakneck speed in Australian vernacular, which became a best-seller. It was released in New Zealand on Octagon OCT.028 that year.Audioculture - Octagon, Discography Singles & EP's Other comic songs followed: "Hector the Trash Collector", a spoof on John Farnham's hit "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)", and "50 Million Blowflies Can't Be Wrong". In 1963, he won first prize in Export Talent, an Australia's Got Talent–type contest, which sent him to England, giving him valuable overseas exposure and experience. He returned to Australia in 1965, but over the next five years he spent much time performing in Europe and America, where he appeared on The Dick Clark Show. In 1970, he made two further comic songs in a country and western vein: "Gimme Dat Ding" and "Ball Bearing Bird". He also acted in several Australian TV series, the best-known being Homicide and Matlock Police.
In 1975, he changed labels, to M7 Records (a project of the Macquarie Broadcasting Service, Herald and Weekly Times and ATN-7), for whom he recorded around a dozen singles, including "I Love a Sunburnt Football" in two versions—Australian rules and rugby league—and "I Hope Your Chooks Turn into Emus (and Kick Your Dunny Down)". They also released his album, A Generation of Children's Hits, which included covers of "The Candy Man", "Rubber Duckie", "Three Little Fishies", "Puff, the Magic Dragon", "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth", "Any Dream Will Do", "The Ugly Duckling" also "Little White Bull" and "What a Mouth", two Tommy Steele classics.
In 1981, he released on Big Aussie BBQ, an album of familiar Australian songs, including the Slim Dusty favourite "Duncan", the traditional songs "Wild Colonial Boy" and "The Man from Snowy River", Peter Allen's "I Still Call Australia Home", and Joe Dolce's irreverent "Shaddap You Face".
Discography Charting albums + List of albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chartpositions AUS Frankie Davidson Released: July 1973 Format: LP Label: M7 (MLF 018) 58
Charting singles + List of singles, with selected chart positions Year Title Peak chartpositions AUS 1970 "Gimme Dat Ding" 21 1971 "The Ball-Bearing Bird" 55 1973 "I Love a Sunburnt Football" 79 1981 "The Australian Barbecue Song" 53
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Type 1976 Caddie Bar useful (uncredited) Feature film 1982 Save the Lady Blue Feature film 1994 Muriel's Wedding Sergeant Feature film 2001 The Finder Ted Sterling TV movie
Television Year Title Role Role 1968 Contrabandits Shepherd TV series 1969 Woobinda, Animal Doctor Towtruck Driver TV series 1970 The Link Men Frank TV series 1970 The Rovers Mechanic TV series 1970 Dynasty Athol McCauley TV series 1974 Matlock Police Bill Thomas TV series 1975 Armchair Theatre Bruce TV series 1968-74 Homicide Dave Tate / Ron Peterson TV series 1976 Alvin Purple Chassa TV series 1977 Bluey Fred Barnett TV series 1983 A Country Practice 'Burrigan Bert' TV series 1989 E Street Fred TV series 1990 Rafferty's Rules Eric Graham TV series 1991 Home and Away Jake Wood TV series 1998 All Saints Stan Humphries TV series 1999 Farscape Newsstand Guy TV series 2000 Water Rats Boat Owner TV series
Awards Mo Awards The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Frankie Davidson won one award in that time. (wins only) |- | 1976 | Frankie Davidson | Most Versatile Act of the Year
References
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