If you were to look around you in the comfortable section of Manchester, England, where Peter Noone (alias Herman) was born, you might see another child who reminds you of Herman's charm and fun when he was a youngster.You might, but you probably won't. Because, as typical as his surroundings were in Manchester, Herman was always an unusual child and teen. Herman's real name is Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone. Five-feet, nine inches tall, Herman used to weigh 136 pounds; now his weight fluctuates up and down according to his diet and mood. In any case, Herman was a wee one when he was born on November 5, 1947. His mother, Mrs. Joan Noone, told us, "From the time he was a little tot, he loved to perform." The Noone family lovingly allowed Herman whatever he wanted, yet somehow they avoided spoiling him. Various pictures of Herman growing up, show a happy, cared-for youngster, without a worry in the world. But, Herman was to pull some pretty neat tricks! When he was ten, he disappeared for two whole days. Mr. and Mrs. Noone and Herm's older sister Denise - everyone - was frightened to death that he had been harmed. Mrs. Noone told us, "When he finally returned he told us he'd been to York, which is about 100 miles away from where we live. He had been train spotting (a favorite pasttime in industrial Manchester), taking notes and pictures. Perhaps I should've spanked him, but I was so relieved to see him, I couldn't ... I just took him in my arms." Aside from mischief, which he cultivated like any young boy, Herman most enjoyed the European tours that his family took every year for their vacation. And he liked school! |
"For a while there," Herman told us, "I was a real goody-goody. I did well at school and didn't think about it." In fact, Herman skipped a grade because he passed a special test when he was ten. And, by the time Herman was thirteen, he had landed a job! As a young hero on a daily serial, Herman found himself a minor TV star. Also, he started his life-long awareness of clothes. "I started wearing the 'Teddy Boy' style clothes, instead of what my Mum wanted. Each day as I left for school, I'd make a quick change from what I wore out of the house, to what I wanted to wear!" All through his teens, Herman showed musical talent. Pretty soon, he began collecting equipment and practicing towards the day when he would have his own band. Saving and scheming ways to practice, Herman became quite a good manager of his time. Even now, with movie work followed by tours and recording sessions, Herman keeps a cool clock clicking in his mind, alloting time for various tasks - and for recreation, of course. Pretty soon, that famous charm just attracted fame! Herman gave up his daily TV-appearances when he found a group called the Heartbeats. Karl Green was in that group. It happened this way: one night as the group was playing a local dance, Peter joined them for a song or two. The effect was electric. From then on, Peter changed his name to Herman, and the group became known as Herman's Hermits. Almost all the Hermits are married now, but Herman still hasn't settled down. He bought his parents the resort hotel they always wanted to fulfill their lifelong dream, but he seems too busy to stay there. After all the tiring work on Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter, which should finally be released this summer, Herman plunged into a TV special of Pinocchio, to be shown next Christmas. Herman and the Hermits enjoy movie work but even they admitted the going is rough now. Will Herman have time to fulfill his new movie star image and marry the girl of his dreams? |
 At two Peter played in the garden of the Noone's house. |
 Swingin' with sis Denise |
 As a lad of three, Peter posed for this album photo. |
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 You can tell that Peter will grow up to be a handsome man! |
 Acting and music began to interest 12-year-old Peter |
 Above, with mom, Joan Noone, in a happy pose. Below, Peter always dreamed about his plans. 
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