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Pat Boone

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Pat Boone

Charles Eugene Patrick Boone (known as Pat Boone) (born June 1, 1934) is a singer whose smooth style made him a popular performer of the 1950s. His cover versions of African-American rhythm and blues hits had some impact on the development of the broad popularity of rock and roll. He is also an actor, a motivational speaker, a television personality, and a conservative political commentator.

Biography and career

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA, Boone is a direct descendant of the American pioneer Daniel Boone. He grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, attended David Lipscomb College and began recording in 1954 for Republic Records. His 1955 version of "Ain't That a Shame" was a hit, selling far better than Fats Domino's original version. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering R&B songs by black artists for a white market. Previously, rock 'n' roll had had only limited exposure outside of the African American community. While there were exceptions, notably Little Richard, most of the singers and songwriters whose work Boone used remained in poverty and obscurity despite his considerable success.

Known as "The Kid in White Buck Shoes", Boone sported a clean-cut image that appealed to white teens and parents. His singing style, a rich baritone, followed in the tradition of his idol, Bing Crosby. Preferring to carry on in the Crosby tradition, he soon began turning more and more to ballads. Some of his biggest hits included "Love Letters in the Sand" (with the instrumental break featuring Boone's whistling), "April Love", "Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)", and "Don't Forbid Me".

His teen idol popularity in the late 1950s was second only to that of Elvis Presley, and, like Elvis, he soon tried his hand at acting. Boone's pictures included 1960's Journey to the Center of the Earth alongside Hollywood notable James Mason.

His recording of the theme song from the 1957 film April Love topped the charts for six weeks and was nominated for an Academy Award. Pat also wrote the theme song for the movie Exodus.

A devout born-again Christian, he was raised in the conservative Church of Christ but has been a member of a Pentecostal church for more than thirty years. Boone has refused both songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his standards, including a role opposite the decade's reigning sex symbol, Marilyn Monroe. Among his other achievements, he hosted a TV series in the late 1950s, and began writing in the early 1960s, a series of self-help books for adolescents, including Twixt Twelve and Twenty.

The British Invasion effectively ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In the 1970s, he switched to gospel and country, and he continued performing in other media as well, most importantly radio. He is currently working as the deejay of a popular oldies show, and runs his own record company which provides a much-welcomed outlet for new recordings by 1950s greats who can no longer find a place with the major labels.

Boone married Shirley Lee Foley, daughter of Red Foley in 1953, and they had four daughters: Cherry, Lindy, Debby, and Laury. In the 1960s and 1970s the Boone family toured as gospel singers and made gospel albums, such as The Pat Boone Family and The Family Who Prays.

In 1997, Boone released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, a collection of heavy metal covers revamped to fit his style. To promote the album, he appeared at the American Music Awards in black leather, shocking audiences and losing his respectability among his largest constituency, conservative Christians. He was then fired from Gospel America, a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. About a year later, the controversy died down and many fans, including Jack Hayford, accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". He was re-hired by TBN and Gospel America was brought back.

In 2003, the Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee, recognized his gospel recording work by inducting him in its Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Boone lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Shirley. They are influential and respected members of The Church on the Way in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley. His one-time neighbor was Ozzy Osbourne and his family. Boone's cover of Ozzie's song "Crazy Train" became the theme song for The Osbournes. (It appears on The Osbournes Soundrack.) Ozzy said that Boone "never complained once" about living next door to his less-than-traditional family.

In 2006, Boone penned an article for WorldNetDaily in which he argued that Americans who blame America first for troubles in the world cannot in his view be considered patriotic. Boone believes that America is a blessed nation, and its record of attempting to protect the vulnerable of this planet is exemplary.

Boone has been long active in the education field, both as President of the University Board at Pepperdine and, most recently, as holder of the honorary Chair for the Performing Arts at the Linda Christas International School. The Linda Christas chair was established in honor of John William Boone, the blind, black concert pianist. Pat Boone was delighted to accept the honor.

Discography

  • 1955: "Two Hearts, Two Kisses" (#16); "Ain't That A Shame" (#1); "At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama)" (#7); "No Arms Can Ever Hold You" (#26)
  • 1956: "Gee Whittakers!" (#19); "I'll Be Home" (#4); "Tutti Fruitti" (#12); "Just As Long As I'm With You" (#76); "Long Tall Sally" (#8); "I Almost Lost My Mind" (#1); "Friendly Persuasion" (#5); "Chains of Love" (#20); "Howdy!"(#14)
  • 1957: "Don't Forbid Me" (#1); "Anastasia" (#37); "Why Baby Why" (#5); "I'm Waiting Just For You" (#27); "Love Letters In The Sand" (#1); "Bernadine" (#14); "A Closer Walk With Thee" (#13); "Remember You're Mine" (#6); "There's A Gold Mine In The Sky" (#20); "When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano" (#90); "April Love" (#1); Albums: Pat (#19); Four By Pat (#5); Pat Boone (#20); Pat's Great Hits (#3); Hymns We Love(#21); April Love (soundtrack) (#12)
  • 1958: "A Wonderful Time Up There" (#4); "It's Too Soon To Know" (#11); "Cherie, I Love You" (#63); "Sugar Moon" (#5); "If Dreams Came True" (#7); "That's How Much I Love You" (#39); "Stardust" (#2); "For My Good Fortune" (#21); "Gee But It's Lonely" (#31); "Yes Indeed!" (#13); "I'll Remember Tonight" (#34)
  • 1959: "With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair" (#21); "Good Rockin' Tonight" (#49); "For A Penny" (#23); "The Wang Dang Taffy-Apple Tango" (#62); "Twixt Twelve And Twenty" (#17); "Fools Hall Of Fame" (#29); "Beyond The Sunset" (#71); Album: Tenderly (#17)
  • 1960: "(Welcome) New Lovers" (#18); "Words" (#94); "Walking The Floor Over You" (#44); "Spring Rain" (#50); "Moonglow" (#26); "Candy Sweet" (#72); "Delia Gone" (#66); "Dear John" (#44); "Alabam" (#47)
  • 1961: "The Exodus Song(This Land Is Mine)" (#64); "Moody River" (#1); "Big Cold Wind" (#19); Albums: Moody River (#29); White Christmas (#39)
  • 1962: "Johnny Will" (#35); "Pictures In The Fire" (#77); "I'll See You In My Dreams" (#32); "Quando Quando Quando" (#95); "Speedy Gonzales" (#6); "Ten Lonely Guys" (#45); "White Christmas" (#116); Albums: Pat Boone's Golden Hits (#66); State Fair (soundtrack) (#12);
  • 1963: Albums: Pat Boone Sings Guess Who; The Touch of Your Lips; Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
  • 1973: Albums: Songs for the Jesus Folks
  • 1976: Albums: Texas Woman
  • 1981: Albums: Songmaker
  • 2002: Albums: American Glory

Filmography


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