Peter Noone Reviews & Such

Former Hermit Noone Has Got A Lovely Patter

By Miriam Di Nunzio

With sales of 52 million records and 23 Top 10 hits, Herman’s Hermits became one of the most successful British invasion bands of all time. (They even out-sold the Beatles in 1965.)

Their hits included "There’s a Kind of Hush All Over the World," "I’m Into Something Good" and "Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter." But the Hermits’ 10-year career had run its course when they disbanded in 1972.

For Peter Noone, the Herman of the Hermits, it was the best time of his life--until, of course, the Teen Idols Tour, he says.

Noone, a classically trained musician, also has worked as an actor, boutique owner and was the host of VH1’s "My Generation" for three years. With laptop in tow, he keeps in touch daily with his legions of fans through his Web site, www.peternoone.com.

Speaking in between bites of hotel-pillow chocolate, he flashed his dry wit while discussing everything from fame to underwear:

On show business: "I would hate to suggest that I or any of these people I’m working with on the tour are lightweights. But you know, it’s not brain surgery. It’s about how you can make the audience not be disappointed. And you have to look good, because the audience doesn’t want to see three fat guys."

On the drug scene in the ’60s: "I hated that whole paraphernalia-psychedelic scene. It was a bore. It was a guy thing. Nowadays? I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t swallow. I don’t inhale. I don’t exhale."

On rock ’n’ roll in the ’60s: "We were all kids. If you study rock ’n’ roll, there are not many great rock records made by people over 25, save for the Stones. You had to have your own sound back then. You couldn’t sound like the Beatles or the Dave Clark Five. That’s why we did the first English accents on rock ’n’ roll records."

On his tour co-stars: "I don’t wear makeup or do my hair. I mean, I don’t want to look like John Davidson. Davy and Bobby spray themselves with formaldehyde for about an hour before every show. I tease Davy, because his repartee is not too good. Neither is his toupee."

On the tour groupies: "They’re older than they used to be. When they throw underwear on the stage, it’s much bigger these days."

Peter Noone Reviews & Such

Former Hermit Noone Has Got A Lovely Patter

More Press Reviews