“This is the moment,” legendary vocalist Pat Boone declared as he gracefully exited the Coach House stage Saturday evening. It was a heartbreaking farewell performance in Southern California, where he had lived for nearly six decades.
In reflecting on his decision, Boone remembered his father’s words, “I won’t promise anything except I won’t promise anything.” He smiled as he recounted his father’s wisdom, which held that making a promise and failing to keep it was a bad mistake.
“I am considering this to be my final concert on the West Coast after my appearances in Branson, Missouri, and my birthplace, Nashville,” Boone said thoughtfully. This is indeed the end.”
Curiosity frequently emerges around the grounds for Boone’s withdrawal from performance. I don’t want it to be due to advancing age, a stroke, or any other condition. “I want this to be on my terms because, inevitably, the day will come,” he explained.
I’d rather say goodbye while standing tall and serenading my audience.” Boone, now 87 years old, has debated this decision for some time, particularly following the death of his beloved wife, Shirley Boone, a year ago. They had been married for a whopping 65 years.
“It’s been an emotional journey,” Boone confessed, his face softening. “Keeping busy kept me going, but I realize it took a toll on me emotionally.”I have distractions, stuff to keep my thoughts occupied.”
Their Beverly Hills home, which they have loved for the past 60 years, is suddenly lonely. Boone, on the other hand, voiced his acceptance of the situation.
The 1.2-acre property is located near the intersection of Beverly Drive and Sunset Boulevard, close to the historic Beverly Hills Hotel.
“I would like to continue living there,” Boone said of his love for the house. Shirley’s soul will always be felt within the buildings where our daughters were reared.”
“I feel her presence all the time,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion. Sometimes looking at the numerous photographs on the walls makes me tear up.”
Boone admitted that the stress of his loss had taken its toll on him, causing him to lose hair. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic that it would not impact his performance at the Coach House. He would showcase his six-decade career spanning pop, gospel, country, early rock, and even heavy metal genres.
Boone enthusiastically discussed songs he planned to sing, including “When the Swallows Return to Capistrano,” a treasured golden oldie that rarely made its way onto his setlist.
He also stated his desire to incorporate songs from his film soundtracks, such as “April Love” and the moving “Exodus,” for which he wrote the lyrics.
In an unexpected twist, he revealed, “I’m even thinking about performing one of the tracks from ‘Metal Mood,’ like my rendition of Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke On The Water.’”
In addition, I’ll perform ‘Under God,’ a song I wrote to highlight the importance of those two words in our Pledge of Allegiance. I’ll also devote at least one piece to Shirley, titled ‘You and I.’”
Boone lovingly recalled a chat they had after watching the movie “The Notebook” together at their Hawaiian home that inspired the touching song he penned for Shirley.
“We wondered if we’d still be married in heaven,” he reflected. “I hope we’ll be Pat and Shirley Boone in heaven, not just two ethereal beings.”
