Herman's Hermits to brings sounds of the '60s to Paramount Theatre
Peter Noone and the four other members of Herman's Hermits rode the wave of the British Invasion of the 1960s with 23 Top 10 hits, including 14 singles and seven albums that were certified gold.
Long after many of his contemporaries have stashed away their guitars, Noone continues to tour regularly, performing hits like "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "There's a Kind of Hush."
On Friday, he'll pair with The Turtles, starring Flo and Eddie, for a nostalgic excursion at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Aurora.
Noone recently talked with the Daily Herald about his varied career.
Q. How did Herman's Hermits get its name?
A. We got the name from a TV show called the "Bullwinkle Show." People often told me I looked like Sherman from the show.
We were going to call ourselves Sherman's Sausages but went with Sherman's Hermits, and became Herman's Hermits when a printer left off the first "s." I still think Sherman's Sausages was a better name.
Q. What was your first musical instrument?
A. I first played the piano because we had one. My dad played the trombone, which had little appeal to me when I noticed the trombone player and the accordionist were the two members of my dad's band who were unable to attract girls.
Q. What changes or big events in your life can you attribute to your music?
A. When "I'm Into Something Good" got on the charts my acne disappeared, I grew four inches taller and became a lot more attractive. Even the boys at my school thought I was suddenly cool.
Q. Who was your greatest musical influence?
A. Tom Pilkington, my math teacher, told me I was a clown and I should get a job in a circus. It set me thinking. Travel, trapeze, elephants, rings, just like the music business. So I went home and did my homework, became first in my math class and purchased a fake red nose. This got people to pay attention to me, and that is show business.
Q. Did coming along at the same time as the Beatles help or hold back the Hermits?
A. We came along, but the Beatles could kick anyone musically. We knew to keep our distance and if we were going to be treated roughly we could run faster than they could. I preferred climbing trees and staying in them until the rough stuff had finished.
Q. You appear with The Turtles, Starring Flo and Eddie. For their very concert first in the '60s, they opened for Herman's Hermits before 60,000 at the Rose Bowl. What do you remember about that event? What's it like being with The Turtles again?
A. I remember The Turtles were always fabulous and that my dear mum had all their recordings. She asked me to have them on our concert at the Rose Bowl so she could meet Flo and Eddy. She thought they would remember meeting her at the Ohio State Fair when they opened for Perry Como and she got backstage.
I love the Turtles; I grew up listening to them. I consider them to be Rock and Roll Hall of Fame material and perfect dates if you want a good giggle.
I watch their show every night. They are never boring and it is never the same show. I am impressed.
Q. You performed in "Pirates of Penzance" on Broadway. How do you do a Broadway play hundreds of times and keep it fresh?
A. I did over 1,000 performances and one day I will get it right.
Q. Recording star, musician, composer, producer, Broadway actor, TV soap opera actor, TV host of "My Generation," Entertainer of the Year … which brings you the greatest satisfaction?
A. I like all the facets of my career. The more lucrative things I do are not always the most fun, but when I count the cash I say to myself, "Wow, that was a lot more fun than I thought it was."
Q. Are the kids of Baby Boomers becoming fans like their parents?
A. I feel fortunate to be a Baby Boomer and to have the largest following of most of my fellow British invaders. All my ideas as a teenager now appear to be the work of a genius and I accept this title humbly and on behalf of the royal family who are having a rough year.
Q. How many in the band today are part of the original group?
A. I am the original and so are all my functioning body parts, which makes me unique in show business.
Q. Is the Internet introducing you to more fans?
A. I am the king of the Internet and you should go to peternoone.com and see why.
Q. What piece of advice have you given young musicians?
A. It is not a competition; it is a game of love to play.
Q. What is the secret for your dynamite smile?
A. My secret is a happy life.
If you go
What: Herman's Hermits, starring Peter Noone, & The Turtles, starring Flo & Eddie.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
Where: Paramount Theatre, 23 East Galena Blvd., Aurora
Tickets: $47.50 or $37.50
Info: (630) 896-6666 or www.ticketmaster.com
Details: TheParamountTheatre.com