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The story of an ordinary guy who prefers it that way
Her what? Oh yes - the press were predicting the next "frenzy" after Beatlemania! And how right they were. The little cheeky blue-eyed boy who'd already done a spate of acting on Coronation Street went right up the charts with his first record, "I'm Into Something Good". And the group from Manchester known as Herman's Hermits, who put their success down to the fact that "we're different because we're so normal", were made! Herman's success was greatly due to ace record producer Mickie Most who apparently received a telegram one day just stating "Come and discover Herman and the Hermits." So with an air ticket and hotel reservation Mickie went to Manchester - took a look and decided they were worth signing. Their first hit happened when the boys were all around sixteen and at that time Mr. Noone was quoted as saying "Of course I would like to keep on being a success, but there's one good thing about my still being sixteen. If this all ends next year I'll still be only seventeen and I'll have lots more years to do something else." A year later in 1965 the biggest news about Peter Noone was his "romance" with fellow pop singer Twinkle. (Remember her hit with "Terry" the song about a ton up boy?) Yes, they admitted they were more than good friends, but no, they didn't have any plans to get engaged. And when eager reporters pointed out the ring Twinkle wore on her engagement finger Herman got a bit narked and asked, quite reasonably, "Is there any reason why a pop star shouldn't have a girl friend?" 1965 also saw the beginning of "Hermania" in America. And in July '65 the group were banned from appearing again at Bridgeport, Connecticut, because more than ten thousand teenagers had smashed wooden barricades and stoned police cars while they were performing. But throughout Herman remained unchanged! He still considered himself an "ordinary" guy who was just out to enjoy himself and he didn't go in for way out clothes but simple suits and casual gear. And it was his taste in clothes that won him the Mr. Fashion award - also in 1965. |
 After eighteen months of Herman's Hermits they had sold more than fourteen million records - and that's no mean feat! And like most good-looking pop singers there were always plenty of girls hanging around. But Peter Noone's trouble wasn't trying to find them - it was trying to get rid of them that worried him! "I just have to say to them, 'I'll phone you' and never bother. It's the oldest thing in the world but they usually get the message," he said. By the time Herman had reached twenty he was a dollar millionaire. Someone who was in the highly enviable position of never again needing to work. Someone who could just sit down and take it easy for the rest of his life. But that's not Herman - he'd better ideas! Like more tours of America - more TV work - more records - and inevitably more money! But don't get the idea it was all work - because Herman likes to enjoy life a lot. And, in fact, was one of the biggest "looners" around! He'd changed a lot from the "only coke" drinking sixteen-year-old to someone who frequented London's plushest clubs. And it was while he was at one such club that he met an attractive French girl called Mireille who had never heard of Herman and the Hermits and certainly didn't know what he looked like. For Herman to suddenly meet a dolly lady who didn't like him purely for his money or fame was a completely new experience - and like most sensible males he realized this was no ordinary bird - but a girl who had to be snapped up quickly. So in October 1968 they announced their engagement and a month later married in London. And for once Mireille stole the show in a fantastic white dress and a headdress of snow white feathers. Marriage has mellowed Peter Noone - and changed him a heck of a lot. No more loonings (not because the wife says no but because he just doesn't want to loon anymore). And no more drunkenness or gadding about. Now he takes the attitude of a responsible married man who has a wife to look after. Mireille and Peter seem incredibly happy and are rarely parted. And wherever the group is playing Mireille is never far away. But Christmas 1970 was the first time the real Peter Noone came through. This was his chance to display his talents at the place where it all happens - London's Palladium. Now he's changed his name back to what it was originally! So, instead of Herman's Hermits they are called Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits - which gives him a chance to get out on that stage and show everyone just what he can do! Acting and singing are just the beginning - and let's hope there will soon be a regular show of his own on the telly - or a big movie which he can star in - because make no mistake Peter Noone is a force to be reckoned with in the world of show biz. |
