Debby Boone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Debby Boone |
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Boone in Washington, D.C. in 1997
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Deborah Anne „Debby“ Boone |
| Also known as | Debby Boone Ferrer |
| Born | September 22, 1956 Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actress, author, spokesperson |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1971–present |
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| Associated acts | |
Debby Boone is an American singer, writer, and actress, born on September 22, 1956. She is famous for her 1977 song, "You Light Up My Life." This song was a huge hit, staying at the top of the music charts for ten weeks! Because of its success, she won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Later, Debby started singing country music. She had another number one hit in 1980 called "Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again." In the 1980s, she also recorded Christian music, earning her more Grammy Awards. Throughout her career, Debby has performed in many musical plays and has written children's books with her husband, Gabriel Ferrer.
Contents
Debby Boone's Early Life and Music
Growing Up and Family Music
Debby Boone was born in Hackensack, New Jersey. She is the third of four daughters of singer and actor Pat Boone and Shirley Foley Boone. Her grandfather was the famous country music star Red Foley. When Debby was 14 years old, she began touring with her parents and her three sisters: Cherry, Lindy, and Laury.
The sisters first sang together as The Pat Boone Family. Later, they were known as the Boones or Boone Girls. They mostly sang gospel music. However, the sisters also released pop songs where Debby was the main singer.
The Big Hit: "You Light Up My Life"
After her older sisters got married and her younger sister went to college, Debby was encouraged to start a solo career. In 1977, Debby released her first solo song, "You Light Up My Life." This song was featured in a movie with the same name.
The song became one of the biggest hits of the 1970s. It stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten weeks in a row. This was longer than any other song had stayed at number one up to that time. The song helped Debby win a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. She also won an American Music Award for Favorite Pop Single of 1977.
The song was written by Joe Brooks. Even though Debby's version was not used in the movie, it became very popular. Debby said she recorded the song as an inspirational message for God. After this huge success, Debby toured with her father and appeared on many TV shows.
Debby's Musical Journey
Singing Country Music
Because "You Light Up My Life" was also popular on country music charts, Debby started to focus on country music. Her grandfather, Red Foley, and her father, Pat Boone, had also sung country music.
In 1979, she had a hit with a remake of Connie Francis' song "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own." Her 1980 album, Love Has No Reason, included the song "Are You on the Road to Lovin' Me Again." This song became a number one hit on the country music charts.
Christian Music and Awards
Debby Boone later turned her music career towards contemporary Christian music. She won two GMA Dove Awards and two more Grammy Awards for her work in this genre. Her Christian albums include With My Song (1980), Surrender (1983), and Choose Life (1985).
In 1989, Debby released her Christmas album, Home For Christmas. It featured a duet with her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney, on the classic song "White Christmas."
Debby Boone on TV and Stage
Television Appearances
Debby Boone first acted on TV in 1978. She starred in a musical TV show based on O. Henry's story The Gift of the Magi. She often appeared as a guest star on variety shows. She also had two of her own TV music specials on NBC.
In 1984, Debby co-starred in the TV movie Sins of the Past. She played a character who becomes an evangelical singer. This movie was very popular. Debby has also made guest appearances on shows like Step by Step and Baywatch Nights.
Musical Theater Roles
In 1981, Debby made her debut as a stage actress in the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The show toured the U.S. and later opened on Broadway.
Debby has continued to act in musical plays, mostly in regional theaters. She played the lead role of Maria in the 1990 revival of The Sound of Music at Lincoln Center. She had also played Maria on tour in 1987 and 1988. In 1996, Debby returned to Broadway to play Rizzo in the musical Grease.
Recent Activities
After her children grew up, Debby Boone returned to recording music in 2005. She released Reflections Of Rosemary, an album that honored her mother-in-law, Rosemary Clooney. Debby toured a lot for this album. In 2011, she released another album called Swing This!, which celebrated swing music from the 1960s.
In 2012, Debby became a spokesperson for a company that offers cosmetic procedures. Her famous song, "You Light Up My Life," was featured in their commercials. She even re-recorded the song with a full orchestra for these promotions.
Debby Boone's Family Life
Debby Boone married Gabriel Ferrer on September 1, 1979. He is a priest in the Episcopal Church. Gabriel Ferrer comes from a famous Hollywood family too. He is the son of actor José Ferrer and singer Rosemary Clooney. He is also the brother of actors Miguel Ferrer and Rafael Ferrer, and the cousin of actor George Clooney. Debby and Gabriel have four children: a son named Jordan (born 1980), twin daughters Gabrielle and Dustin (born 1983), and another daughter named Tessa (born 1986).
Debby Boone's Albums
- You Light Up My Life (1977)
- Midstream (1978)
- Debby Boone (1979)
- Love Has No Reason (1980)
- With My Song (1980)
- Savin' It Up (1981)
- Surrender (1983)
- Choose Life (1985)
- Friends for Life (1987)
- Be Thou My Vision (1989)
- Reflections of Rosemary (2005)
- Swing This (2013)
Books by Debby Boone
Debby Boone and her husband have written several children's books together. Gabriel Ferrer illustrated all of them.
- 1981: Debby Boone So Far (her autobiography)
- 1988: Bedtime Hugs for Little Ones
- 1989: Tomorrow Is a Brand New Day
- 1991: The Snow Angel
- 1996: Welcome to This World
- 1998: Counting Blessings
The Snow Angel was also released as an audio book with original songs. Debby also released a children's video series called Debby Boone's Hug-a-Long Songs.
Awards and Recognition
Debby Boone has received many awards throughout her career:
Grammy Awards
- 1977: Best New Artist
- 1980: Best Inspirational Performance: With My Song
- 1983: Best Gospel Performance – Duo/Group for Keep The Flame Burning (with Phil Driscoll)
Other Awards
- 1977: Academy of Country Music: Top New Female Vocalist
- 1981: Dove Awards: Best Album by a Secular Artist, With My Song
- 1984: Dove Awards: Best Album by a Secular Artist, Surrender
- 1978: Music City News: Best New Female Artist
See also
In Spanish: Debby Boone para niños
