By Bruce Klauber
The Shore Local story on Pat Boone published a few weeks back, got quite a response from those who fondly remember his appearances at the Steel Pier as a solo act, and with his family.
When the story was in preparation, I contacted Pat’s offices and asked if he would share some of his memories about those days for the upcoming article. He was happy to contribute, but because he was on the road, his written contribution was received too late for inclusion in the original story. He asked if there was still room for it, and I could only reply: “There’s always room for Pat Boone.” So here are his unedited memories.
Hello Bruce!
My experiences in Atlantic City were always spine-tingling and unforgettable.
The first few times I appeared there, I was the teen idol, Pat Boone, wearing white buck shoes singing my rock ‘n’ roll songs and rhythm and blues covers, and selling millions of records.
The fans were heavy towards the teenage flock, but they always sold out shows. Then as I got older and added my daughters to my performances and became The Pat Boone Family act, it was a wide age group in the audience, but the house was always jammed to the rafters of the Boardwalk. My daughters were fascinated with the Pier’s diving horse, while I wanted to report it to the ASPCA myself!
It was always exciting because I felt the excitement of the crowd coming from all over the country and even other countries who expected entertainment in that very special place. So every show was exciting, and the audiences were exultant and appreciative. And the money wasn’t bad either!
In fact, at the age of 90, I could be coaxed into a show or two out there still today! I would improve my life insurance, but I think I would risk it.
Hope this works for you, Bruce!
Pat
While no one really remembers what Pat Boone did in his leisure hours during his time at the Steel Pier and starring in the “Atlantic City Holiday” film in the mid-1950s, given his ultra clean-cut image, it’s pretty certain that we know the places in Atlantic City he did NOT frequent during his off hours.
If Boone had decided to take a stroll to the 500 Club on Missouri Avenue during his July sojourn at the Steel Pier – which he most likely did not – he may have run into Frank Sinatra.
Mr. Sinatra came to the 500 almost directly from Spain, where he was filming “The Pride and the Passion” with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant, to work at the Atlantic City bistro on July 24 through July 26 as a favor to 500 Club owner Paul “Skinny” D’Amato. It’s a shame Pat Boone missed him – as well as the gambling that was taking place in the rear of the club – as Sinatra would not return to Atlantic City until 1962.
If it was great Chinese cuisine that Pat Boone was interested in, he likely would not have visited a restaurant that was quite popular in the 1950s, the Bath and Turf Club, located on Stenton Avenue at the Boardwalk.
While the food was said to be pretty good, many of the visitors to the Turf Club had gambling in mind, and interested restaurant visitors were escorted to Iowa Avenue across the street, where poker and dice games were held nightly. In the late summer of 1958, gambling was so rampant that the state of New Jersey stepped in and raided the place, which was filled with roulette wheels, various gaming tables and other gambling paraphernalia, as well as around 40 customers. There were other clubs in Atlantic City that featured, shall we say, adult-oriented entertainment. It’s been said that the Jockey Club on North Carolina Avenue featured one of the city’s few gay revues, advertised by the club as a “unique revue.”
But the Jockey Club is mainly remembered as among the city’s oldest jazz clubs, dating back to the 1920s. During the time that Pat Boone was in town, he might have heard the legendary Billie Holiday, who worked there in the mid-1950s. In later years, a house band led by the late, legendary and beloved pianist George Mesterhazy played nightly from midnight until 6 a.m., sometimes sharing the bill with jazz headliners like guitarist Pat Martino and organist Jimmy Smith. The Jockey Club, along with four other neighboring buildings, were destroyed in a September, 1982 fire.
One nightspot he may have visited was the Hialeah Club, located at 1917 Atlantic Ave. near Michigan Avenue. There’s not a lot known about this venue, except that it was rather large, featured a pianist named Bob O’Neil for many years, attracted both black and white audiences, and advertised continuous entertainment and dancing.
It was also known as “Arthur’s Hialeah Club,” “Ricky’s Hialeah Club” and “Hialeah Dinner and Supper Club” through the years. Interestingly, in 1962, early rock guitarist Duane Eddy, a contemporary of Pat Boone – was booked at the Hialeah, right after he appeared for eight weeks at Wildwood’s Beachcomber Club.
There were probably other spots Pat Boone may or may not have visited in July of 1956, but given how hard Steel Pier owner George Hamid worked his acts, it’s likely that the young teen idol may have only had time for a quick dinner, and then plenty of rest. Here’s to 90 more, Pat!
Bruce Klauber is the author of four books, an award-winning music journalist, concert and record producer and publicist, producer of the Warner Brothers and Hudson Music “Jazz Legends” film series, and performs both as a drummer and vocalist.
