Peter Noone, a member of the famous 1960s band Herman’s Hermits, was one of the biggest teen idols of his time. With his boyish charm and signature thick hair, it’s easy to compare him to modern-day heartthrobs like Justin Bieber or Harry Styles. However, there’s one major difference between today’s teenage sensations and Noone—he rose to fame in a time when social media didn’t exist, and his band sold millions of records before their fans even knew what they looked like.

As the frontman of Herman’s Hermits, Noone captured the hearts of fans in both America and Britain. The band skyrocketed to fame in 1964 with their hit song I’m Into Something Good, which reached number one in England. His youthful appeal, combined with his smooth voice, made him a household name almost overnight.

Despite his popularity, Noone admits he had no idea what he was doing in the beginning. “I was basically just a shy little boy playing a role on stage,” he once recalled. But that didn’t stop him from achieving extraordinary success. By 1965, Herman’s Hermits had sold more records than even The Beatles, producing more than twenty hit singles, including No Milk Today and There’s A Kind of Hush (All Over the World).

At just 17, Noone and his band secured a million-dollar record deal, and his career reached new heights when none other than Elvis Presley acknowledged him. Presley even performed the band’s song I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am on stage in 1965. Noone didn’t mind that Elvis was playfully mocking the song. “Who cares? Elvis was there!” he said, still in awe of the legendary moment.

Despite his early success, Noone never fell into the typical rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. “I never got into the drug scene,” he explained. But when it came to late nights, parties, and nonstop touring? That was a different story. “When we were sixteen or seventeen, we could stay up late, party all night, and still wake up early for interviews and shows. It was an amazing experience.”

Fast forward to today, and Noone is still performing. At 64, he returned to the stage as part of Britain’s Solid Silver 60s Show, sharing the spotlight with fellow legends like Brian Hyland (Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini) and Brian Poole of The Tremeloes (Do You Love Me). “Touring never gets old,” Noone said. “It’s exciting to know we can still bring in crowds.” He finds it amusing when fans approach him and start singing his old hits right to his face.

Since the 1970s, Noone has lived in California, where he embraced a healthier lifestyle. “I feel very lucky,” he shared. “Not many people survived the excesses of the sixties.” He reflected on this when he attended the funeral of Mickie Most, Herman’s Hermits’ producer and a judge on the TV talent show New Faces. “There weren’t many people left,” Noone recalled. “It really makes you stop and think.”

Though Noone wasn’t known for wild behavior, he did have his fair share of fun. He reminisced about hanging out at a Moody Blues band member’s house, known for its “den of immorality.” He laughed, “I wasn’t a big smoker, but I did like to drink. I used to go out drinking with Richard Harris and tried to outdrink him.”

Even as a teenager, Noone was mingling with rock royalty. He idolized The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, despite being nearly a decade younger. He recalled going to London’s Ad Lib bar with John Lennon, who would often pay for his drinks. “John knew I was only 16, so he figured I wouldn’t get wasted and start a fight,” he said.

At 19, Noone decided to attend his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with his father, who was also a heavy drinker. “I wouldn’t have called myself an alcoholic, but I realized I had to be responsible—both for myself and my performances.” He has been sober for over 16 years. “I don’t mind if my wife or others drink, but I made the choice for myself.”

Speaking of his wife, Noone has been happily married to Mireille for over 43 years. They met when he was still dating multiple women, but there was something special about her. “I think it was lust at first sight,” he admitted. “But after getting to know her, it became love.” Determined to win her over, he even rented an apartment next to hers while she was on vacation with her mother in Ibiza. “Her mother liked me because I was polite,” he said. “That helped me win Mireille over.”

Noone left Herman’s Hermits in 1971 at just 24 years old. The band had been together for so long that they eventually wanted to pursue different paths. In 1968, he married Mireille, and the couple welcomed their daughter, Nicole.

After his solo music career didn’t take off as expected, Noone found success on the stage. In the 1980s, he hosted the American television music program My Generation and later starred in a Broadway production of Pirates of Penzance. He also appeared as a voice coach and mentor on American Idol a few years ago. He humorously remarked on the show, “The Beatles would have probably lost if they competed on television. Simon Cowell is just a secondhand Mickie Most.”

Looking back on his career, Noone remains grateful. “I was probably going to end up as a clerk at a NatWest bank,” he joked. “How lucky am I to still be doing this at 64? And now, I actually know what I’m doing. I’m not the shy little kid I was back then.”

Even today, Peter Noone still captivates audiences with his voice, charm, and youthful energy. At 75, he continues to look fantastic and prove that true talent never fades.