John Boulter

Who is John Boulter?

John Boulter is a British tenor best known for his appearances as a soloist in the BBC's long-running variety series The Black and White Minstrel Show. Along with bass Tony Mercer and baritone Dai Francis, Boulter was one of the show's three front men.

Boulter was born in Gillingham, Kent, and was educated at Gillingham Grammar School and later at Number One School of Technical Training in the Royal Air Force. From there he entered the Royal Academy of Music where he won Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for his singing, and was awarded an Associateship of the Academy in recognition of his work. He was an "apprentice Airframe Fitter" in the RAF before becoming a professional singer. In 1960 he appeared in a South African production of Lock Up Your Daughters, and joined George Mitchell's Minstrels during the 1950s. He went on to appear in the stage and television versions of The Black and White Minstrel Show and on recordings made by the troupe. He also appeared in the 1969 spin-off series, Music Music Music, in which the minstrels appeared without their blackface make-up, following accusations of racism against the show.

In 1954 he married opera singer Loma St.