From Teen Idol to Rehab: The Turbulent Journey of a 60s Heartthrob Who Partied with the Rolling Stones and Was in AA by 19 – See Where He Is Now

“It’s just not the same these days; Herman’s Hermits sold millions of records before we were even visually known,” Noone reflected.

“Back then, I was really just a shy kid playing a part on stage—I had no idea what I was doing.”

In 1965, Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits even surpassed the Beatles in record sales, with over twenty hit records to their name, including top singles like “I’m Into Something Good,” “No Milk Today,” and “There’s A Kind of Hush (All Over the World).”

By the age of seventeen, the band had already secured a million-dollar record deal. A highlight of Noone’s career occurred when Elvis Presley joined them on stage in 1965 to perform their hit, “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am.”

“Who cares if he was making fun of me?” Noone reflects. “It was Elvis on stage with us!”

At a young age, Noone was already living the quintessential rocker lifestyle.

“But without the drugs,” he asserts. “I was never into that stuff.”

But when asked about indulging in other typical rock ‘n’ roll behaviors?

Yes, when we were sixteen or seventeen, it was easy to stay up late, cause a bit of a stir, and then wake up early the next day for shows and interviews. It was an exhilarating time.

Now at 64, Noone is touring again as part of Britain’s Solid Silver 60s Show. He’s joined by other musical legends of the era, such as Brian Hyland, known for “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” and Brian Poole of The Tremeloes, famous for hits like “Do You Love Me” and “Twist And Shout,” instead of his original bandmates from Herman’s Hermits.

“The thrill of touring is everlasting, and it’s heartening to see we can still attract audiences,” Noone shares. “I’m always a bit taken aback when fans come up to me and sing the old hits right to my face.”

Since the 1970s, Noone has lived in California, quickly embracing the state’s healthy lifestyle.

“I feel very fortunate and try to take good care of myself. Not many from the sixties scene managed to get through all the excess,” he observes. “At Mickie Most’s funeral nine years ago, I realized there weren’t many of us left.” Most was the band’s producer and a judge on the TV show New Faces. Such moments make you stop and think.

He reminisces about visiting a member of the Moody Blues at a place known for its wild parties. “I was more of a spectator, even though I hung out with the girls who weren’t big on smoking.”

Noone admits, “I did enjoy my drinks—I would go out with Richard Harris and we’d try to outdrink each other.”

“Even though the Stones and Beatles were about seven years older, I adored them and always wanted to be part of their circle.”

John Lennon would cover my drinks when we went to the Ad Lib bar in London. He knew I was just 16 and wasn’t going to get too drunk and cause trouble.

Raised in Manchester, Noone confesses he didn’t feel all that “interesting,” so drinking was partly an effort to blend in with the crowd.

At 19 years old, the musician attended his first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting alongside his father, who also struggled with heavy drinking.

“I wouldn’t have labeled myself an alcoholic, but I realized I needed to be considerate of others and perform well on stage, so I decided to cut back. It’s been about 16 years since I last had a drink, but quitting was something I had to do for myself,” he explains.

“I wouldn’t stop my wife from drinking if she wants to; I don’t impose my choice on those around me.”

The versatile artist and his wife Mireille have been together for 43 years. They met when Noone was twenty, during a time when he was still dating multiple women.

“It was probably lust at first sight with Mireille,” he admits. “But as I got to know how kind she was, it turned into love.”

“She initially said no, but I rented the apartment next to hers while she was vacationing in Ibiza with her mother. Her mother liked me because I was polite. Eventually, I won Mireille over.”

Noone left the band in 1971 at the age of twenty-four. He and Mireille married in 1968 and later welcomed a daughter, Nicole.

“Although we were all close at the beginning, by the end we’d been together so long and each of us wanted to pursue different paths,” the band reflected.

After his solo career didn’t take off, he transitioned to theater in the 1980s, hosting the American television music show “My Generation” and starring in a Broadway production of “Pirates of Penzance.”

A few years ago, he also appeared as a voice coach and mentor on American Idol.

During his time on the show, he remarked, “The Beatles would have probably lost if they had competed on television. Simon Cowell seems like a nice guy, but to me, he’s just a second-rate Mickie Most.”

Reflecting on his current tour, Noone noted, “I could have ended up working as a clerk at the local NatWest. 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 once was.”

Peter’s charm and appeal remain undiminished by age!

Now at 75, he still possesses a fantastic voice and looks incredible.