Peter Noone was a member of the popular band Herman’s Hermits in the 1960s.
Because of his boyish attractiveness and thick hair, it would be easy to compare him to a modern-day Justin Beiber or Harry Styles.
But there is one glaring difference between this former teen idol and today’s adolescent idols.
Thanks to his charming appearance and voice, Peter Noone, the leader of Herman’s Hermits, became well-known in his teens. The trio toured both America and Britain before becoming well-known.
The band made their debut with “I’m Into Something Good,” which peaked at number one in England in 1964.
Herman’s Hermits sold millions of records before anyone saw us, so it’s just not the same today, Noone said.
“I was just a shy little boy playing a role on stage; I had no idea what I was doing.”
Noone and his group even sold more hit recordings than the Beatles did in 1965, with almost twenty of their albums becoming hits. Among their top singles were There’s A Kind of Hush (All Over the World), No Milk Today, and I’m Into Something Good.
The band landed a million-dollar record deal by the time they were seventeen, and one of the highlights of Noone’s career was when Elvis Presley performed a cover of one of their classics, “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am,” live in 1965.
“It doesn’t matter; he was making fun of me.” Noone queries. “Elvis was present!”
At this young age, nobody was already living the clichéd rocker lifestyle.
But he insists, “but without the drug bit.” “I wasn’t interested in that stuff.”
But when asked about all the other typical rock ‘n’ roll traditions?
Indeed. It was simple for us to stay up late, go on the rampage, and then wake up early the next day to attend to gigs and interviews when we were sixteen or seventeen. It was a truly remarkable encounter.
At 64 years old, Noone is back on the road as part of the British Solid Silver 60s Show. Rather than his fellow Hermits veterans, he would be accompanied by other iconic musicians from the era, such Brian Hyland (“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”) and Brian Poole of The Tremeloes (“Do You Love Me” and “Twist And Shout”).
Noone says, “It’s encouraging to know we can still draw crowds; the excitement of touring never gets old.” When someone comes up to me and starts singing all the old songs in my face, I never really know how to respond.
No one has relocated to California and quickly embraced the state’s healthy lifestyle since the 1970s.
“I feel very lucky and try to take care of myself,” he asserts. The decade of the 1960s was one of extreme decadence for many. Nine years ago, I went to Mickie Most’s funeral, and not many people were there. Most was a panelist on the TV talent show New Faces and the band’s producer. It definitely make you stop and think.
He remembers going to a Moody Blues member’s house, which was thought to be a real haven for immorality. Even though none of the girls smoked a lot, I used to hang out with them. I was like a fly on the wall.
“I did like to drink—I used to go out with Richard Harris and try to drink more than him,” Noone added with a chuckle.
“I used to love the Stones and Beatles and always wanted to hang around with them, even though they were about seven years older than me.
Since John Lennon knew I was just sixteen and wouldn’t get wasted and try to beat someone up, he would pay for my drinks when we went to the Ad Lib bar in London.
Noone, who grew up in Manchester, has admitted that he didn’t feel particularly “interesting,” thus his main motivation for drinking was to blend in with the group.
At the age of 19, the singer made the decision to accompany his father, who was also a strong drinker, to his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Even though I wouldn’t have classified myself as an alcoholic, I decided to cut back after learning that you have to be empathetic toward others and able to act on stage. It’s been around sixteen years since I touched a drop, but I had to do it for me.
“I wouldn’t stop those around me from drinking, and I wouldn’t stop my wife from drinking if she so chooses.”
The multi-talented artist has been married to Mirielle for forty-three years. They got acquainted when Noone was twenty years old and still seeing a number of women.
“I think it was probably lust at first sight with Mireille,” he concedes. We fell in love with each other after I realized how kind she was.
“I rented the apartment next to them while she was on vacation in Ibiza with her mother, but she kept saying no.” It was my politeness that made her mother like me. I was able to control Mireille.
Noone, who was twenty-four at the time, quit the band in 1971. Nicole was the couple’s daughter, and they were wed in 1968.
“Even though we were all close at first, we wanted to do different things because we’d been together for so long,” the band stated.
In the 1980s, after his solo career failed, he turned to theater, hosting the US television music show “My Generation” and performing in a Broadway production of “Pirates of Penzance.”
A few years ago, he appeared on American Idol in the role of mentor and vocal coach.
During his remarks on the show, he went on to say, “The Beatles would have most likely lost if they had competed on television.” I think Simon Cowell is just a secondhand Mickie Most, even though he seems like a pretty nice guy.
When asked about the current trip again, Noone stated, “I was going to work at the local NatWest, probably as a clerk.” How lucky am I to be 64 years old and doing this? I also know what I’m doing at this moment. I’ve come a long way from that timid youngster.
Regardless of age, Peter never loses his adorableness or charm!
He looks AMAZING and has a fantastic voice, even at 75 years old.
