Pat Boone - Outside the Box, Again

Associated Press ^ | Tue Jan 14, 2003 | BETH HARRIS

[KMJames]

The awards show reunited singer Pat Boone with his former Beverly Hills neighbors, the Osbournes.

"I think the Osbournes have said I'm the best neighbor they ever had, maybe because I'm the only one that never called the police," said Boone, a presenter. "We're friends and we get along great."

Boone said he approached Ozzy Osbourne at the show and asked if they could duet on one of Osbourne's songs that Boone says is his favorite.

"He and Sharon both enthusiastically said yes, so there may be an Osbourne-Boone duet in the offing, I hope," Boone said. "I can't tell you what song because I'm afraid somebody will beat me to it."

[KMJames]

Even though Pat Boone's popularity was a bit before my time, I remember hearing critical, vindictive remarks about him every now and then from his peers and I wondered what the problem was with him. As I got older I learned what his problem is, - he is a principled man among unprincipled fools.

As I read this article about him and Ozzy it didn't strike me as ironic at all - it seems to validate my perception of Boone as one who treats others with respect, not as the fools have treated him.

[Mo1]

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[sharktrager]

There is a lot more to not like about Pat Boone.

His initial success was based on taking music recorded by black musicians and re-recording it. He was feeding on the prejudice of parents and teens who would not buy music recorded by a black man.

Musicians also dislike him because he made a concerted effort to change or hide the meaning behind many songs to allegedly protect the sensibilities of his fans.

[JennysCool]

On the other hand, you COULD say Boone making the music "accessible" to white America helped black artists make the crossover. The Beatles recorded a lot of Chuck Berry and Little Richard tunes, too, as did the Beach Boys; the Stones recorded a lot of black R & B -- nobody's accusing them of taking advantage of those black artists.

[discostu]

Him and every other white pop/ rock star of his time, including Elvis. It's how the industry worked at the time, record companies got the songs and handed them to their singers (to a large extent they still do, though there isn't the color devide, most pop songs are written in song factories and the real author will never get credit, Lou Reed got his start in one of them). Crappy way to do business but in the end it worked. No way 1950s America embraces black musicians without the white front first, eventually we moved past that stage. But Pat has never pretended otherwise, what's sad is that so many people act like he's the only one that did it. That's the price for honesty.

[Pravious]

"His initial success was based on taking music recorded by black musicians and re-recording it. He was feeding on the prejudice of parents and teens who would not buy music recorded by a black man."

So what do you think Elvis was doing in 1954 at Sun Studios, huh? Hey, and I'll tell you what - Elvis' versions of "That's All Right," and "Mystery Train" and "Baby Let's Play House" beat the CRAP out of the "black originals." -- Wow, guess that makes him TWICE the racist Pat Boone ever was, huh?

"Musicians also dislike him because he made a concerted effort to change or hide the meaning behind many songs to allegedly protect the sensibilities of his fans."

Oh, well, there you go. Go read the Sheryl Crow posts to get some indication what the average intelligence of musicians is (I'll give you a hint - it's just a little less than the average intelligence of the Hollywood movie star). But this argument, too, is simply a lot of biased nonsense - change lyrics as not to offend people! My God! What a horrible thing! (snort).

[FroedrickVonFreepenstein]

---

You've Got Another Thing Coming	Judas Priest	AU file at Hip-O Records
Smoke On the Water	Deep Purple	AU file at Hip-O Records
It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock And Roll)	AC/DC
Panama	Van Halen	93 kB RA file
No More Mr. Nice Guy	Alice Cooper
Love Hurts	Nazareth
Enter Sandman	Metallica
Holy Diver	DIO	53 kB RA file
Paradise City	Guns 'n' Roses	75 kB RA file
The Wind Cries Mary	Jimi Hendrix
Crazy Train	Ozzy Osbourne	87 kB RA file
Stairway To Heaven	Led Zeppelin

---

[ClancyJ]

His initial success was based on taking music recorded by black musicians and re-recording it. He was feeding on the prejudice of parents and teens who would not buy music recorded by a black man.

That is baloney.

Boone was very popular during the beginning of the Elvis years. He was an extremely cleancut great singer - a direct contrast to the appeal of Elvis.

He was not liked due to his moral stands, his religion. In making a movie - he did not want to kiss the co-star due to his Christian beliefs and the fact he was married. He was ridiculed of course.

Over the years he evolved into an entertainer I did not care for. He left his original religion and delved into other beliefs. Now, he is a has-been who continually seeks some way to recharge his career.

He has a beautiful voice.

[kellynla]

Boone being interview on the radio in LA now...

[kellynla]

KRLA 870AM

[TLBSHOW]

He likes Ozzy because he put out a rockish record and did Black Sabbath tunes. 2 years ago!

[kellynla]

Boone saying he was disgusted with the show last night...the only bright spot was "Alabama" recognizing the troops and someone unfurled an American flag in the balcony...

[Wait4Truth]

..it seems to validate my perception of Boone as one who treats others with respect, not as the fools have treated him.

Sounds a lot like President Bush, doesn't it?

[vetvetdoug]

Sheryl Crow is an accomplished musician. Her music is no more or less lyrical than those of the Kingston Trio. Pat Boone is a crooner, just his style. My favourite was "Love Letters" and "Speedy Gonzales".

[KMJames]

I agree that his critics were aroused to hatred because of his morals - it seems the insults I remember targeted his character and his moral stands. I wasn't even aware of the "black artist thing" until this thread.

I'm curious as to what "religious paths" he claims to have travelled.

[Moby Grape]

You are DEAD wrong. Boone recorded the music because he LIKED it...the author of the music got paid. They made the same silly claims about Elvis, and has B.B. King said, 'Elvis didn't steal anything. If it is out there in the public, then how can you steal it?. Elvis opened doors for black artist by recording them. Elvis was called the king, and I think it fit."

[cactusSharp]

he was a member of the Church of Christ in West Texas prior to Hollywood. His wife taught Bible School

[KMJames]

LOL - after listening to "Love Letters in the Sand" I've got to hold my tongue concerning Boone.

Not my style, but well done. Thanks for the link - I think it's the first Pat Boone song that I've knowingly listened to.