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59-838: The Four Lads appeared on many television shows, including The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom (1958); Perry Como 's show Perry Presents (1959); Frankie Laine Time (1956); and the award-winning PBS special, Moments to Remember: My Music. The most recent incarnation of the group featured lead tenor Don Farrar, second tenor Aaron Bruce, baritone Alan Sokoloff, and bass singer Frank Busseri. The original quartet grew up together in Toronto , Ontario , Canada, where they learned to sing at St. Michael's Choir School . The founding and core members were Corrado "Connie" Codarini, bass ; John Bernard "Bernie" Toorish, tenor and vocal arranger; James F. "Jimmy" Arnold , lead ; and Frank "Frankie" Busseri, baritone and group manager. Codarini and Toorish had formed

118-414: A tenor voice. He was also popular for his wide vocal range. Pat Boone is one of the most prolific artists of all time with nearly 2,600 recorded songs. It is estimated that over the course of his career, he recorded more than 2,600 official tracks, making him one of the most prolific artists in music history. Throughout his incredibly long career, he reached the U.S. Top 40 charts 38 times, securing

177-465: A close friend to many U.S. presidents ( Ronald Reagan , Jimmy Carter and many others). At a 1961 gathering at Pepperdine College , Pat Boone said, " I would rather see my four girls shot and die as little girls who have faith in God than leave them to die some years later as godless, faithless, soulless communists ." Boone supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election . In

236-406: A commercial to claim that all four of his daughters had found a preparation named Acne-Statin a "real help" in keeping their skin clear. The FTC filed a complaint against the manufacturer, contending that the product did not really keep skin free of blemishes. Boone eventually signed a consent order in which he promised not only to stop appearing in the ads, but also to pay about 2.5% of any money that

295-414: A gift from Alice's parents, Lilly and Arthur. Chris is not pleased. He hates television, and thinks the whole idea of TV is a needless distraction and corrupting influence on today's youth. At work, Chris has a partner, Bud, who is trying to woo a new client, Jeanette Revere, a woman who has been divorced four times. Jeanette is amazed in this day and age that a couple can remain happily married as long as

354-450: A group with two other St. Michael's students, Rudi Maugeri and John Perkins, who were later to found The Crew-Cuts . The group was known variously as The Otnorots ("Toronto" spelled backwards) and The Jordonaires (not to be confused with The Jordanaires who sang background vocals on Elvis Presley 's hits). When Maugeri and Perkins left the group to concentrate on their schoolwork, Codarini and Toorish joined with Arnold and Busseri in

413-597: A motivational speaker, a television personality, and a conservative political commentator. Boone was born on June 1, 1934, in Jacksonville, Florida , to Margaret Virginia (née Pritchard) and Archie Altman Boone. He grew up in Nashville , where his family moved when he was two years old. He graduated in 1952 from David Lipscomb High School in Nashville. His younger brother Cecil (1935–2023), professionally known as Nick Todd ,

472-435: A new quartet. At home, they practiced until they achieved their clean-cut harmonies, whether for spirituals , sacred music, or pop . They originally called themselves “The Four Dukes”, but found out that a Detroit group already used that name, so they changed it to The Four Lads. In 1950, they began to sing in local clubs and soon were noticed by scouts. Recruited to go to New York , they were noticed there by Mitch Miller ,

531-419: A quarrel, which eventually leads to Lilly attempting to move in with her daughter. Everybody's angry now. A distraught Chris wants to come home. Alice feels no one cares about her. She intends to leave home herself. The family doctor, however, suddenly informs Alice that she is pregnant. She decides to give Chris another chance, as a gift arrives, yet another TV. This time it is from Chris. "Happy Anniversary"

590-729: A spokesperson for Swiss America Trading Corporation, a broker of gold and silver coins that warns of "America's Economic Collapse". In 2023 Boone, at 89, is one of the guest vocalists on Born to Be Wild , an album by Ann-Margret . Together they perform the song " Teach Me Tonight " on the album. In 2024, at age 90, he released a single, "Where Did America Go?" In November 1953, 19-year-old Boone married Chicago-born Tennesseean Shirley Lee Foley (April 24, 1934 – January 11, 2019 ), also 19 years old, daughter of country-music great Red Foley and his wife, singer Judy Martin . They had four daughters: Cheryl "Cherry" Lynn , Linda "Lindy" Lee, Deborah "Debby" Ann , and Laura "Laury" Gene. Starting in

649-565: A white American market. Randy Wood, the owner of Dot, had issued an R&B single by the Griffin Brothers in 1951 called "Tra La La-a"—a different song from the later LaVern Baker one—and he was keen to put out another version after the original had failed. This became the B-side of the first Boone single "Two Hearts Two Kisses", originally by the Charms – whose "Hearts Of Stone" had been covered by

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708-656: Is a basketball fan and had ownership interests in two teams. He owned a team in the Hollywood Studio League called the Cooga Moogas. The Cooga Moogas included Bill Cosby , Rafer Johnson , Gardner McKay , Don Murray , and Denny "Tarzan" Miller . When the American Basketball Association began, Boone became the majority owner of the league's team in Oakland, California , on February 2, 1967. The team

767-402: Is a happily married father of two. For his 13th wedding anniversary, he sneaks home with a gift for wife Alice, a diamond brooch, and with a desire to have a romantic interlude. Interruptions ensue. If it isn't their children, Debbie, and Okkie, needing something, it's their maid, Millie, or it's Alice's mother, Lilly, on the phone. And then two delivery men arrive with a new television set. It's

826-645: Is also the title of a popular song with music written by Robert Allen and lyrics by Al Stillman , that was introduced in this film. Recordings have been made by The Four Lads , Jane Morgan , Maureen Evans and Joan Regan . At the time, the Motion Picture Production Code prohibited the portrayal of illicit sex as harmless or positive. For the film to be approved under the Code, a line had to be inserted in post-production in which Chris expresses his regret at having had premarital sex with Alice. As Niven

885-427: Is an American singer, actor, author, television personality, philanthropist, and composer. During his recording career , he sold nearly 50 million records and had 38 Top 40 hits; he also appeared in various Hollywood films. According to Billboard , Boone was the only singer that could compete in popularity with Elvis Presley during the 1950s. Billboard has ranked Pat as one of the biggest charting artists in

944-451: Is irritated again, but promises not to cause a scene this time. When they turn it on, however, a show called "Kids Kouncil" has his daughter Debbie as a guest. And the child blurts out for all to hear that her parents are having marital difficulties, and had been intimate prior to their wedding. Chris again kicks in the TV. Chris storms out of the house this time. Elsewhere, Alice's parents also have

1003-688: Is the ultimate for me, that Pat Boone would sing any of my songs In the early 1970s, Boone founded the record label Lamb & Lion Records . It featured artists such as Pat, the Pat Boone Family, Debby Boone , Dan Peek , DeGarmo and Key , and Dogwood. In 1974, Boone was signed to the Motown country subsidiary Melodyland. In 1978, Boone became the first target in the Federal Trade Commission 's crackdown on false-claim product endorsements by celebrities. He had appeared with his daughter Debby in

1062-509: The Federal Communications Commission should forbid any such content, and that it should revoke the broadcast licenses of any "network, or whoever is responsible for the shows". Happy Anniversary (1959 film) Happy Anniversary is a 1959 American comedy film starring David Niven and Mitzi Gaynor . Directed by David Miller , the movie's cast also included Carl Reiner and a young Patty Duke . Chris Walters

1121-737: The United States Supreme Court that struck down mandatory prayer as conflicting with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution . Joining Boone and Eisley at the Project Prayer rally were Walter Brennan , Lloyd Nolan , Rhonda Fleming , Gloria Swanson , and Dale Evans . Boone declared, "what the communists want is to subvert and undermine our young people... I believe in

1180-611: The University of North Texas , in Denton, Texas . Boone began his career by performing in Nashville's Centennial Park . He began recording in April 1953 for Republic Records (not to be confused with the current label with that name ), and by 1955, for Dot Records . His 1955 version of Fats Domino 's " Ain't That a Shame " was a hit. This set the stage for the early part of Boone's career, which focused on covering R&B songs by Black artists for

1239-635: The Washington Caps . Boone later played for the Virginia Creepers, an 80–84 age group Senior Olympics team that narrowly lost to the gold medal-winning team; Boone aged out (by turning 85) on June 1, 2019. Pat Boone and his wife Shirley have been very active in charitable endeavors. Together, they supported the founding of Mercy Corps in 1981, a global humanitarian organization focused on crisis response and development in over 40 countries. This initiative stemmed from an earlier project called Save

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1298-535: The artists and repertoire man at Columbia Records , who asked them to sing backup for some of the artists he recorded. One of those artists, Johnnie Ray , became a major hit in 1951 with " Cry " and " The Little White Cloud That Cried ", with the Four Lads backing him. After the success of Ray's first hit songs, the Four Lads signed a recording contract with Columbia. In early 1952, they recorded their first song, "Turn Back", penned by group member Bernie Toorish under

1357-792: The 2007 Kentucky gubernatorial election, Boone campaigned unsuccessfully for incumbent Republican Ernie Fletcher with a recorded automated telephone message stating that the Democratic Party candidate Steve Beshear would support "every homosexual cause." As part of the campaign, Boone asked, "Now do you want a governor who'd like Kentucky to be another San Francisco?" On August 29, 2009, Boone wrote an article comparing American political liberalism to cancer, likening it to "black filthy cells". In December 2009, Boone endorsed conservative Republican John Wayne Tucker's campaign in Missouri's 3rd congressional district against incumbent Russ Carnahan (D) in

1416-642: The 2010 midterm elections. In 2010, Boone endorsed Republican Clayton Trotter in the race for Texas's 20th congressional district with an ad campaign referencing his song " Speedy Gonzales ", about the Looney Tunes character , which critics have characterized as offensive stereotypes. Boone received a lifetime achievement award at the 38th annual Conservative Political Action Conference held in February 2011. In June 2016, Boone, along with Mike Huckabee and executive producer Troy Duhon, all of whom were involved in

1475-536: The Billboard pop charts. The Four Lads were quickly switched over to the Columbia label, where they continued to garner more hits, and stayed there until 1960. In 1953, the Four Lads had their first gold record , with " Istanbul (Not Constantinople) ", a song that gave them their first U.S. top-ten hit and propelled them to even more stardom. The group's most famous hit was 1955's " Moments to Remember ." Another famous hit

1534-508: The FTC or the courts might eventually order the manufacturer to refund to consumers. Boone said, through a lawyer, that his daughters actually did use Acne-Statin, and that he was "dismayed to learn that the product's efficacy had not been scientifically established as he believed." Boone hosts a weekly radio show, the Pat Boone hour , on the 50s Gold channel on SiriusXM . In 1994, Pat Boone played

1593-458: The Family at Pepperdine University , which educates students on building moral and healthy relationships. During his career, he performed many musical genres such as pop , country music , rock and roll , R&B , gospel and soul . His vocal style was similar to many crooners of his time like Frank Sinatra and Perry Como , despite that, he wasn't a baritone like them, instead he had

1652-471: The Flamingos and " Don't Forbid Me " by Charles Singleton . Boone has been highlighted as an example of whitewashing by taking songs by black artists and sanitizing them to make them more palatable for a white audience, denying exposure to these black artists. Boone also wrote the lyrics for the instrumental theme song for the movie Exodus , which he titled "This Land Is Mine". ( Ernest Gold had composed

1711-681: The Refugees , which Shirley launched during the Cambodian crisis in 1979. Among their many efforts, Pat and Shirley also contributed to the creation of the Shirley and Pat Boone Life Center in Tanzania. This center provides clean drinking water, medical care, and education to local communities. The couple also supported, through a multi-million dollar donation, the establishment of the Shirley and Pat Boone Center for

1770-498: The USA, America's the greatest land of all!" GM had also sponsored The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom . Many of Boone's hit singles were covers of hits from Black Rock and Roll artists. These included: "Ain't That a Shame" by Fats Domino; " Tutti Frutti " and " Long Tall Sally " by Little Richard ; " At My Front Door (Crazy Little Mama) " by The El Dorados ; and the blues ballads " I Almost Lost My Mind " by Ivory Joe Hunter , "I'll be Home" by

1829-595: The United Kingdom ( UK Singles Chart ): Boone grew up in the Church of Christ . In the 1960s, Boone's marriage to Shirley Foley nearly came to an end because of his use of alcohol and his preference for attending parties. However, after coming into contact with the Charismatic Movement , Shirley began to focus more on her religion and eventually influenced Pat and their daughters to have a similar religious focus. At

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1888-501: The Walters' have. Over a celebration dinner, Chris lets it slip that he and Alice had sex a year before they got married. Lilly and Arthur are offended, having been under the impression that Alice didn't have sex with Chris until they were wed. They storm out. Chris is so angry, he kicks in the screen of the new TV. He argues with Alice and has to spend his anniversary night sleeping on the sofa. A gift arrives from Bud—it's another TV. Chris

1947-504: The Way in Van Nuys , a Foursquare Gospel megachurch pastored by Jack Hayford . On an April 22, 2016, broadcast of Fox News Radio 's The Alan Colmes Show , Boone discussed an episode of Saturday Night Live that included a sketch entitled God Is a Boob Man ; the sketch parodied the film God's Not Dead 2 , in which Boone had a role. He described the sketch as " blasphemy ", stating that

2006-413: The age of 23, Boone began hosting a half-hour ABC variety television series, The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom , which aired for 115 episodes (1957–1960). Many musical performers including Cliff Richard , Nat King Cole , Edie Adams , Andy Williams , Pearl Bailey , and Johnny Mathis made appearances on the show. His cover versions of rhythm and blues hits had a noticeable effect on the development of

2065-520: The broad popularity of rock and roll . Elvis Presley was the opening act for a 1955 Pat Boone show in Brooklyn, Ohio . 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 . He continues to perform and speak as

2124-557: The comedic duo Smothers Brothers . In the 1970s, he switched to gospel and country , and continued performing in other media as well. 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 1973 he released S-A-V-E-D, a gospel-studio album. Two songs of the album were written by his friend Johnny Cash , who said about it: I'm deeply honored that you would record two of my songs in this album. This

2183-498: The film God's Not Dead 2 , sent a letter to California Governor Jerry Brown in opposition to Senate Bill 1146, which "prohibits a person from being subjected to discrimination" at California colleges. Other than schools that train pastors and theology teachers, schools "might no longer be allowed to hire Christian-only staff, teach religious ideas in regular classes, require attendance at chapel services, or keep bathrooms and dormitories restricted to either males or females." Boone

2242-701: The group in 1980 to become a voice teacher in Sacramento, California . Busseri remained with the group, and performed regularly with various members until late 2018. Johnny D'Arc died in 1999, aged 60, in Riverside , California . Jimmy Arnold died in 2004, aged 72, in Sacramento, California . Codarini died on April 28, 2010, in Concord, North Carolina , aged 80. Frank Busseri died in Rancho Mirage, California , on January 28, 2019, aged 86. Aaron Bruce (Aaron Bruce Grattidge), who

2301-453: The group's re-recording of "The Mocking Bird" became their last Top 40 pop hit. In 1959, their final pop chart appearance was with "Happy Anniversary", a song from the movie of the same name that peaked at #77. When their Columbia contract expired in 1960, the group spent the rest of the 1960s recording for the Kapp , Dot and United Artists labels without ever hitting the charts again. Codarini

2360-462: The headquarters of Ferrari in Maranello , near Modena , with the intention of buying a Superamerica Sports Car , but Enzo Ferrari dissuaded him from purchasing that model by saying that there would not have been enough room for Boone's four daughters, and sold him a four-door Ferrari 2+2 instead. In a 2021 interview, Boone admitted having later sold the "Ferrari he didn't like" to Tom Smothers of

2419-451: The label's Fontane Sisters . A number-one single in 1956 by Boone was a second cover and a revival of a then seven-year-old song " I Almost Lost My Mind ", by Ivory Joe Hunter , which was originally covered by another Black star, Nat King Cole . According to an opinion poll of high-school students in 1957, the singer was nearly the "two-to-one favorite over Elvis Presley among boys and preferred almost three-to-one by girls ..." During

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2478-428: The late 1950s, Boone and his family were residents of Teaneck, New Jersey . Shirley Boone was a lesser-known recording artist and television personality than her husband. She also founded a hunger-relief Christian ministry that evolved into Mercy Corps . She died at age 84 in 2019, at the couple's Beverly Hills home, of complications from vasculitis , which she had contracted less than a year earlier. Boone has been

2537-468: The late 1950s, he made regular appearances on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee , hosted by his father-in-law. He cultivated a safe, wholesome, advertiser-friendly image that won him a long-term product endorsement contract from General Motors during the late 1950s, lasting through the 1960s. He succeeded Dinah Shore singing the praises of the GM product: "See the USA in your Chevrolet ... drive your Chevrolet through

2596-444: The music.) As a conservative Christian, Boone declined certain songs and movie roles that he felt might compromise his beliefs—including a role with sex symbol Marilyn Monroe . In one of his first films, April Love , the director, Henry Levin , wanted him to give co-star Shirley Jones a kiss, which was not in the script. Since this would be his first onscreen kiss, Boone said that he wanted to talk to his wife first, to make sure it

2655-537: The name "Dazz Jordan". Released by Columbia subsidiary Okeh Records (Okeh 6860), the song failed to make an impression. Sometime later that year, the group scored their first-ever hit record with " The Mocking Bird " (Okeh 6885), another Toorish composition. Based on a melody from the second movement of Antonin Dvorak ’s Symphony No. 9 (known as the “New World Symphony”) and featuring an extremely limited accompaniment of percussion and bass, "The Mocking Bird" peaked at #23 on

2714-517: The number one spot six times. Until the 2010s, he held the record for the most consecutive weeks in the U.S. charts with at least one single in the Top 100 , totaling 220 weeks. According to the renowned magazine Billboard , Boone was the only artist who could rival Elvis Presley on the national charts in the late 1950s. No. 1 singles in the United States ( Billboard Hot 100 ): No. 1 singles in

2773-546: The period 1955–1995. Until the 2010s, Boone held the record for spending 220 consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts with one or more songs each week. During the 1950s and the 1960s Boone was one of the most popular entertainers in the United States , becoming a teen idol as a valid alternative to the hedonism of rock and roll, due to his activities as singer, writer, actor and religious motivational speaker. In 1957, at

2832-613: The power of aroused Americans, I believe in the wisdom of our Constitution.... the power of God." It was noted that Roy Rogers , John Wayne , Ronald Reagan , Mary Pickford , Jane Russell , Ginger Rogers , and Pat Buttram had endorsed the goals of the rally and would also have attended had their schedules not been in conflict. In the early 1970s, the Boones hosted Bible studies for celebrities such as Doris Day , Glenn Ford , Zsa Zsa Gabor , and Priscilla Presley at their Beverly Hills home. The family then began attending The Church on

2891-587: The president of the network, Paul Crouch , and his pastor, Jack Hayford, many fans accepted his explanation of the leather outfit being a "parody of himself". Trinity Broadcasting then reinstated him, and Gospel America was brought back. In 2003, the Nashville Gospel Music Association recognized his gospel recording work by inducting him into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame . In September 2006, Boone released We Are Family: R&B Classics , featuring cover versions of 11 R&B hits, including

2950-650: The publisher, which lasted for five issues from September 1959 to May 1960. In the early 1960s, he began writing a series of self-help books for adolescents, including 'Twixt Twelve and Twenty . The British Invasion ended Boone's career as a hitmaker, though he continued recording throughout the 1960s. In 1966, he participated in the Sanremo Music Festival in Italy, performing the songs Mai mai mai Valentina alongside Giorgio Gaber and Se tu non-fossi qui with Peppino Gagliardi . During his trip to Italy, he visited

3009-731: The time they attended the Inglewood Church of Christ in Inglewood, California . In the spring of 1964, Boone spoke at a "Project Prayer" rally attended by 2,500 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The gathering, which was hosted by Anthony Eisley , a star of ABC's Hawaiian Eye series, sought to flood the United States Congress with letters in support of mandatory school prayer , following two decisions in 1962 and 1963 of

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3068-648: The title role in The Will Rogers Follies in Branson , Missouri. In 1997, Boone released In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy , a collection of heavy metal covers . To promote the album, he appeared at the American Music Awards in black leather. He was then dismissed from Gospel America , a TV show on the Trinity Broadcasting Network . After making a special appearance on TBN with

3127-596: The title track, plus "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag", "Soul Man", "Get Down Tonight", "A Woman Needs Love", and six other classics. In 2010, plans were announced for the Pat Boone Family Theater at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina . The attraction was never built. In 2011, Boone acted as a spokesperson for Security One Lending, a reverse mortgage company. Since at least 2007 Boone has acted as

3186-507: Was " Standing on the Corner ", from the Broadway musical The Most Happy Fella , in 1956. A gospel album with Frankie Laine took them back to their roots and produced the hit single "Rain, Rain, Rain", written by Toorish under the pseudonym "Jay McConologue". The Four Lads' Columbia recordings have seen releases and reissues on numerous studio albums and compilations over the years. In late 1958,

3245-483: Was all right with her. He had his own film production company, Cooga Mooga Productions. He appeared as a regular performer on Arthur Godfrey and His Friends from 1955 through 1957, and later hosted his own The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom , on Thursday evenings. In 1959, Boone's likeness was licensed to DC Comics , first appearing in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane No. 9 (May 1959) before starring in his own series from

3304-559: Was born a year later to the day, and was also a pop singer in the 1950s and later a church music leader. In a 2007 interview on The 700 Club , Boone claimed to be the great-great-great-great-grandson of the American pioneer Daniel Boone . Pat primarily attended David Lipscomb College, and later Lipscomb University in Nashville. He graduated in 1958 from Columbia University School of General Studies magna cum laude having previously attended North Texas State University, now known as

3363-699: Was first named the Oakland Americans, but was renamed the Oakland Oaks , the name under which it played from 1967 to 1969. The Oaks won the 1969 ABA championship . Despite the Oaks' success on the court, the team had severe financial problems. By August 1969, the Bank of America was threatening to foreclose on a $ 1.2 million loan to the Oaks, and the team was sold to a group of businessmen in Washington, D.C., and became

3422-467: Was replaced in 1962 by Johnny D'Arc (who remained with the Lads until 1982) and later fell into destitution. As Toorish once recalled, "[Connie] made a terrible mistake. [He] married a model. [She] drove him crazy. He was working in a restaurant for a while." Toorish, who was burned out after twenty years of performing, was replaced by Sid Edwards in the early 1970s and became an insurance businessman. Arnold left

3481-818: Was working as a radio DJ between performances, died in Topeka, Kansas in August 2020, aged 79. In 1984, the Four Lads were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS). They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2003. Studio albums Columbia Records Kapp Records Dot Records United Artists Records Foma Records Select compilation albums of note Pat Boone Patrick Charles Eugene Boone (born June 1, 1934)

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