Pat Boone
Performer / Host
About This Interview
Singer/actor/host Pat Boone was interviewed for two-and-a-half hours in his home in Los Angeles, CA. He describes his upbringing in Nashville, Tennessee, and how winning a local singing contest led him to successful appearances on both Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour and on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts. Boone details his success as a singer and how at 20 years old he became television’s youngest host of a hit musical variety show, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom. He discusses how he refused to represent products on the show that he did not personally use or recommend, and recalls the difficulties he encountered from sponsors and Southern television stations when he attempted to book African-American guests on his show. Boone also talks about his television specials, and speaks about his two subsequent television programs: The Pat Boone Show and Pat Boone in Hollywood. He shares tales of some of his favorite performances and guest stars, explains what it was like to sing on stage immediately following Elvis Presley, and divulges the impetus behind his surprisingly successful heavy metal album. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on September 10, 2010.
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Highlights
On singing in public and becoming known as "Blue Moon Boone" (03m 03s)- On his famous ancestor Daniel Boone (00m 46s)
- On how he got the nickname "Pat" from his given name Charles (01m 05s)
- On selecting songs (02m 58s)
On his wholesome image (01m 18s)- On rock and roll and R&B music (09m 22s)
- On the time that Elvis Presley opened for him (03m 22s)
On turning down a movie with Marilyn Monroe because he felt it was immoral (01m 05s)
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On his childhood and early influences; on singing in church
- On his childhood sweetheart/wife, Shirley Foley, daughter of country singer Red Foley, and on how he was influenced by country music
- On his path to Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour
- On his work in local Fort Worth, Texas television and radio; on his earliest memories of television
- On Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and the success of his first records
- On moving to New York from Texas and on his song selections for Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts; on early brushes with celebrity
- Chapter 2
- On his wholesome image and logistics of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
- On guests and rehearsals of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
- On overseas episodes of The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom
- On controversial performances on The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom and his view of race relations
- On ending The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom after the third season and doing The Pat Boone Show and Pat Boone in Hollywood
- Chapter 3
- On performing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- On his involvement with Christian themed television and books
- On his appearance on the 1997 American Music Awards and his heavy metal album
- On advice to actors; on his legacy
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Pat,
I just finished reading your book, A New Song. Thank you for your honesty about your Christian walk. Your testimony is inspiring. I am a Christian and I have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Great to hear that you are hosting the Winter Dance Party/ Buddy Holly Tribute in Clear Lake, Iowa! Looking forward to it!
Deeply inspired by you, Pat. Watching a 1985 Praise The Lord you did with Paul & Jan --- and felt I got to (really) know you for the first time.
Thank you for mentioning Mercy Corps and USAID -- never heard of either and I'm pursuing a degree from SPEA in Public & Nonprofit Management, so it's VERY current and highly relevant to the calling I feel the Lord has placed on me and my house.
Who knew 1985 could still be so relevant?
I also witnessed an abortion for the very first time. The discussion helped me immensely in defining my views. The friendly banter was so helpful and eye-opening. That's how it should be done.
I was also struck by your charge that we already "know some of the questions on the final" that God is going to ask us -- about feeding the hungry, clothing the naking, caring for the needy, etc.
Thank you so much for yeilding your life to our Maker. God Bless and keep you ... and keep you here with us for a long, long while yet!
I grew up listening to Pat Boone's music. He was my favourite singer & still is!
Not only does he have a wonderful voice, with perfect pitch for my taste, but he was......& still is, very handsome. He's a family man too which is lovely.
I was lucky enough to be at one of his concerts in the Isle of Man, & he called me on stage & gave me the April Love bouquet while he sang to me. A time in my life I will never forget.
It has been lovely just to listen to his memories & learn about his young life on these clips.
A truly lovely man with a voice that can't be topped.
God Bless you Pat!
Does this guy need money so bad that he misleads seniors with lies as he did in November in Ohio during the recent voting on issues? Look at factchecker.com.
I loved this interview ! I have known Pat for 35+ years and still hear something new or something I had forgotten with almost every interview. He is a super entertainer and a very likable human being !
He and his whole family have been a great example to all families.
I just wish there were down to earth good guys entertaining today like Pat has always been. He will be retiring soon. (well deserved, I might add) and we will miss the new records and appearances. So God Bless you and Shirley, Pat.
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