Biography
Rex Franklin (25 September 1935, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand) was attracted to country music as a boy from hearing the recordings of Tex Morton and Buddy Williams and American stars Wilf Carter and Hank Snow, which had been released in New Zealand. After leaving school, he worked on a remote farm and bought his first guitar with his first wages. In September 1953, he made his first public appearance in a talent show and soon after, he formed the Ruahine Ramblers with two fellow contestants. They made their debut in January 1954, singing to the crowd waiting the arrival of Queen Elizabeth, during her New Zealand visit. They played regularly on 2ZA Palmerston North; toured locally and in May 1954, Franklin met his future wife, Noelene Anderson (b. 22 January 1936, Fielding, New Zealand). The Ramblers played on several other stations including 2YZ Napier and 2XA Wanganui and in January 1955, they recorded seven sides for the Tanza label. Franklin and Noelene began singing...
Read the Full Biography of Rex Franklin & Noelene Frank
|
|
