In the 1960s, Peter Noone was a part of the well-known group Herman’s Hermits.
Given his boyish good looks and thick hair, he could easily be mistaken for a contemporary Justin Beiber or Harry Styles.
However, there is one striking distinction between today’s teenage idols and this past teen star.
In his teens, Peter Noone, the leader of Herman’s Hermits, rose to fame due to his endearing appearance and voice. Before the trio gained popularity, they toured both America and Britain.
“I’m Into Something Good,” the band’s debut single, reached its highest position in England in 1964.
Noone said, “It’s just not the same today because Herman’s Hermits sold millions of records before anyone saw us.”
“I had absolutely no idea what I was doing; I was just a shy little boy playing a role on stage.”
With over twenty of their albums becoming hits, Noone and his group even outsold the Beatles in 1965 in terms of hit records sold. I’m Into Something Good, No Milk Today, and There’s A Kind of Hush (All Over the World) were some of their hit singles.
By the time the group was seventeen, they had secured a million-dollar record deal. One of the pinnacles of Noone’s career came when Elvis Presley recorded a live version of the band’s popular song, “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am,” in 1965.
“It doesn’t matter; I was being made fun of by him.” Nobody asks questions. “Elvis was there!”
Nobody was already leading the stereotypical rocker lifestyle at this young age.
“But without the drug bit,” he insists. “I had no interest in that kind of stuff.”
However, when questioned about all the other common rock ‘n’ roll customs?
Yes, in fact. When we were sixteen or seventeen, it was easy for us to stay up late, go on the rampage, and then rise up early the next day to attend to gigs and interviews. It was an absolutely amazing experience.
Noone is back on the road at the age of 64 as a member of the British Solid Silver 60s Show. He would be joined by other legendary 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”), instead of his fellow Hermits veterans.
Nobody remarks, “The thrill of performing live never gets old; it’s encouraging to know we can still draw crowds.” I never really know how to react when someone approaches me and begins singing all the old songs in my face.
Since the 1970s, no one has moved to California and immediately embraced the state’s healthy lifestyle.
He says, “I try to take care of myself and feel very lucky.” For many people, the 1960s were a decade of tremendous excess. I attended Mickie Most’s burial nine years ago, and it was a relatively empty house. Most was the band’s producer as well as a panelist on the TV talent program New Faces. It forces you to pause and consider.
He recalls visiting a Moody Blues member whose home was regarded as a true sanctuary for immorality. I used to hang out with these gals, even though none of them smoked heavily. I resembled a fly living on a wall.
Noone laughed and said, “I did like to drink—I used to go out with Richard Harris and try to drink more than him.”
“Even though the Beatles and Stones were roughly seven years older than I was, I used to adore them and always wanted to hang out with them.
When we went to the Ad Lib bar in London, John Lennon would buy my drinks because he knew I was just sixteen and wouldn’t get wasted and try to beat someone up.
Noone, who was raised in Manchester, has acknowledged that he didn’t feel all that “interesting,” thus his primary incentive to drink was to fit in with the group.
The singer decided at the age of 19 to go to his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with his father, who was also a heavy drinker.
I would never have called myself an alcoholic, but after reading that you had to be able to act on stage and have empathy for other people, I made the decision to cut back. I touched a drop for the first time in maybe sixteen years, but I had to do it for me.
“I wouldn’t stop my spouse from drinking if she so chooses, and I wouldn’t stop those around me from drinking either.”
Mirielle and the multi-talented artist have been wed for 43 years. When Noone was twenty years old and still seeing a lot of women, they became friends.
He admits, “I think it was probably lust at first sight with Mireille.” I discovered how kind she was, and we fell in love.
“She kept saying no when I rented the apartment next to them while she and her mother were vacationing in Ibiza.” My courteousness was the reason her mother liked me. Mireille was under my authority.
In 1971, at the age of twenty-four, Noone left the band. The couple’s daughter, Nicole, was married in 1968.
“We wanted to do different things because we’d been together for so long, even though we were all close at first,” the band said.
He transitioned to theater in the 1980s after his solo career flopped, anchoring the US television music program “My Generation” and acting in a Broadway version of “Pirates of Penzance.”
He made an appearance on American Idol a few years ago, serving as a voice coach and mentor.
He said, “The Beatles would have most likely lost if they had competed on television,” in his statements during the broadcast. Even though Simon Cowell appears like a really lovely man, in my opinion, he’s simply another Mickie Most.
Noone responded, “I was going to work at the local NatWest, probably as a clerk,” when questioned about the current trip once more. How fortunate am I to be 64 years old and still be working? I am also aware of what I’m doing right now. Since then, I’ve come a long way from that shy child.
Peter never grows old or loses his cuteness or charm!
Even at 75 years old, he still has a great voice and amazing beauty.
