Herman’s Hermits We’re the original punk band, says leader Peter Noone

By John Benson

Even though ’60s pop rock act Herman’s Hermits isn’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, singer Peter Noone isn’t concerned.

“I think there’s a load of other people who should go in before me,” said Noone, calling from Santa Barbara, Calif. “If I got to vote, we’d be way down on the ballot. There are lot of people who should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before Herman’s Hermits. How about those musicians who played on all of those Sam Cooke records or the drummer (Charles Connor) on Little Richard’s ‘Lucille?’ I think it should be about these life-changing experiences. So I’m confused by the whole thing anyway. I don’t understand how you get in.”

Born in Manchester, England, Noone, a child actor, became lead singer of Herman’s Hermits as a teenager.

Early on the band was successful with hit singles such as “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Just a Little Bit Better,” “Wonderful World” and more.

In looking back at a musical career that included seven gold albums and tons of touring, Noone said Herman’s Hermits is often overlooked as part of the British Invasion history.

“We sold 18 million records and somehow that gets lost when people talk about the British Invasion,” Noone said. “People who weren’t really part of it get mentioned and not Herman’s Hermits. But the British Invasion was really The Beatles, The (Rolling) Stones, Herman’s Hermits and the Dave Clark Five. Those are the first and only four bands. People thought we were like The Monkees, that we were sort of a creation, and nobody realizes that we were like the original punk band.”

Herman’s Hermits punk? Really?

“We were the band that didn’t do the obvious stuff,” Noone said. “We didn’t sing with American accents. We chose to be different and didn’t fall in with the format of the suits and the ties. I mean punk like the not obvious. I chose not to sing with an American accent, which every other band was doing at the time, even The Beatles. Everybody was impersonating American music, and we decided we were going to be the first English band.”

After leaving the group in the early ’70s, Noone spent the next few years acting with appearances in sitcoms “Married With Children,” “My Two Dads,” “Too Close For Comfort” and “Laverne and Shirley,” as well as in CBS daytime drama “As The World Turns.” However, it’s the music of Herman’s Hermits that keeps bringing him back to the stage. Today, Noone keeps the Herman’s Hermit’s name alive touring with his backing band, which includes northeast Ohio natives Billy Sullivan (Beau Coup) on guitar and Rich Spina (Love Affair) on keyboards and guitar.

When asked why baby boomers are still interested in hearing all of the old hits, Noone quipped, “Basically, because all of our competition died. If you want to see what the British Invasion was, The Beatles don’t tour anymore. And The Stones you have to pay a lot of money to see. So I think we’re priced well in the market and it’s a good fun show. Plus, we just look like an older version of Herman’s Hermits.”