Pat Boone

Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, author, television personality, radio host and philanthropist. He sold nearly 50 million records, had 38 Top 40 hits, and has acted in many films. Boone rivalled Elvis Presley's popularity in the 1950s and is ranked by Billboard as one of the biggest charting artists in the period 1955–1995. Boone spent 220 consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts with one or more songs each week. Through the 1960s, Boone was one of the most popular entertainers in the United States, becoming a teen idol as an alternative to the perceived hedonism of rock and roll, due to his activities as singer, writer, actor and religious motivational speaker. In 1957, at the age of 23, Boone commenced a half-hour ABC variety television series, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom, which aired 115 episodes (1957–1960). Stars including Cliff Richard, Nat King Cole, Edie Adams, Andy Williams, Pearl Bailey, and Johnny Mathis made appearances. His cover versions of rhythm and blues hits had a noticeable effect on the development of the broad popularity of rock and roll. Elvis Presley opened for Boone in Cleveland in 1955 and the two later became close friends. As an author, Boone had a number-one bestseller in the 1950s ('Twixt Twelve and Twenty, Prentice-Hall). In the 1960s, he focused on gospel music. Later, he became a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Today, he continues to perform and speak as a motivational speaker, a television personality, and a conservative political commentator.