What does everyone know Pat Boone for though? Covering other people's songs, esp. at a time when they were unaccredited which is really stealing. PB isn't someone I thought would be in the R&R hall but then again...Bono is in there too!
Hound Dog by Elvis, was a cover. I don't think that covers matter. Most singers don't write their own stuff. As I said, I was there in the 50s and Boone was cutting edge in the material he did--at that time. He was HUGE and appeared on American Bandstand often--something that no mere pop singer would ever be invited to do.