Peter Noone: The Teen Idol Who Outsold the Beatles and Still Shines at 75

Peter Noone, a member of the iconic 1960s band Herman’s Hermits, might remind you of today’s stars like Justin Bieber or Harry Styles with his boyish charm and thick hair. But there’s a significant difference between modern pop idols and Peter Noone, who skyrocketed to fame as a teen.

As the lead singer of Herman’s Hermits, Peter Noone gained widespread fame thanks to his voice and innocent appearance. The band became a household name in both America and Britain after touring extensively. Their breakout hit, “I’m Into Something Good,” became the number one song in England in 1964.

“Herman’s Hermits sold millions of records before anyone even saw us,” Noone reflected, recalling the days before music videos and social media. “I was just a shy kid playing a part on stage, not really knowing what I was doing.”

In 1965, Noone and his band achieved something remarkable—they outsold the Beatles with over twenty chart-topping hits, including “I’m Into Something Good,” “No Milk Today,” and “There’s A Kind of Hush (All Over the World).” By the time Noone was 17, the band had secured a million-dollar record deal. One of the highlights of his career came when Elvis Presley performed their song “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am” on stage in 1965. Noone’s reaction? “Who cares if he was making fun of me? It was Elvis!”

Noone lived the typical rock star lifestyle, minus the drugs. “That was never my thing,” he said. But other rock ‘n’ roll habits? Absolutely. Staying up all night and going straight to interviews or performances was just part of the job.

Now 64, Noone is still touring, performing with Britain’s Solid Silver 60s Show alongside other musical legends like Brian Hyland and Brian Poole. “Touring never gets old, and it’s amazing to still see people showing up,” he shared.

Since the 1970s, Noone has lived in California, embracing a healthy lifestyle. “I feel lucky,” he said, noting that many of his peers from the 1960s didn’t survive the era’s excesses. “There weren’t many people left when I went to Mickie Most’s funeral,” he recalled, referring to the band’s producer.

Noone also opened up about his battle with alcohol. Although he never considered himself an alcoholic, he realized the importance of staying sharp and considerate. At 19, he attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and has been sober for over 16 years. “I did it for myself,” he said.

Peter Noone and his wife Mireille have been married for over 43 years. “It was probably lust at first sight,” he joked, recalling their early days. The couple has one daughter, Nicole.

Even though he left Herman’s Hermits in 1971 to pursue a solo career, Noone continues to perform. He’s appeared on Broadway, hosted the music show My Generation, and even coached contestants on American Idol. Today, at 75, Noone still has the charm and voice that made him famous.