As the filming of April Love wrapped up, the director decided that Pat Boone should share a romantic moment with his co-star, Shirley Jones. Pat, however, wasn’t thrilled with the idea because it wasn’t in the script, and he hadn’t discussed it with his wife. This created a bit of a stir on set.
The media, including The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, reported that Pat refused to kiss his leading lady due to religious reasons. But Pat clears up the misunderstanding with a laugh, explaining, "It wasn’t about religion — I just wanted to keep my marriage intact!" Eventually, Pat’s wife gave her blessing, and the scene became part of the hit 1957 musical.
At 88 years young, Pat Boone continues to be as spirited and wholesome as ever. The legendary singer, actor, and author has a new book, If, set for release on September 21. Pat shares, "I’m still active, recording and writing, even though I don’t think I’ll write another book." With a video podcast also in the works, Pat keeps himself busy with creative endeavors and family life.
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A Look Back at Pat’s Childhood
What was your childhood like?
Pat Boone recalls growing up in a tight-knit family. "We lived in Nashville, and my dad was a building contractor and architect. My mom was a registered nurse. We attended church regularly, and we were a loving family. Despite the initial struggles, my dad's contracting company eventually became very successful."
Did your parents shield you from the financial challenges as a child?
"We never realized we were below the median because we always had food on the table. We didn’t own a car until I was in eighth grade, which was embarrassing for a kid. We had my dad’s pickup truck with the Boone Contracting Company advertisement on the side. Eventually, after much pleading, my dad bought a black two-door Chevy. It was simple, just a heater, but it was beautiful to me."
Navigating Show Business with Integrity
How did you maintain your values in the entertainment industry?
"When my wife and I moved to California, I was determined to keep our Tennessee values. We didn’t adopt the Beverly Hills lifestyle. Instead, we focused on raising our kids with strong principles. People often thought of me as a 'square,' but I was proud to be associated with all the good things."
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The Story Behind Pat’s Latest Book
Tell us about your 28th book, If.
"The book is aimed at those who don’t know God or understand their spiritual destiny. It’s subtitled The Eternal Choice We All Must Make. It’s meant to help people understand that their destiny is in their hands. The word 'if' appears in the Bible 500 times, starting with God’s first 'if' to Adam and Eve. This book is a loving effort to guide people to understand their choices."
Pat’s Friendship with Elvis Presley
What was your first encounter with Elvis like?
"Elvis and I started our careers around the same time. We met backstage at a concert in Cleveland in 1955. He was a bit shy and didn’t shake my hand with confidence. It was clear he wasn’t comfortable. A few years later, we became close friends while working at 20th Century Fox."
Did you ever meet Colonel Tom Parker?
"Colonel Tom was quite the character. I recorded an album called Pat Boone Sings Guess Who? because Colonel Tom wanted royalties to use Elvis’ name. It became a hit, and Tom even sent me a membership card to his Snowmen’s Club. We had a bit of a playful rivalry."
Honoring the Memory of Shirley Boone
How do you keep your late wife Shirley’s memory alive?
