INTO SOMETHING GOOD Peter Noone Still Singing Good Time Songs of Herman’S Hermits
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Recorder Community Newspapers Out&About GUIDE TO THE ARTS AND LEISURE • THURSDAY, JULY 27, 2017 INTO SOMETHING GOOD Peter Noone still singing good time songs of Herman’s Hermits By PHIL GARBER Noone made his entertainment debut when STAFF WRITER he 11, playing Granada TV’s Knight Errant in 1959. It was 1964 and the Beatles, Hollies and Rolling Stones were all getting record deals, Changing Names so why not a group whose lead singer was The group first formed in 1962 as the a 15-year-old Mancunian-accented blond Heartbeats, and later as Herman and the haired, blue eyed singer from Manchester, Hermits and finally Herman’s Hermits. England. They included Noone, Whitwam, Derek Why not indeed? The new band, calling Leckenby, who died of cancer at the age of itself “Herman’s Hermits,” went on to sell 51, Karl Green and Keith Hopwood. more than 60 million records worldwide And the band worked hard, with 365 con- with 14 gold singles and seven albums. certs in 1965 alone. It was a simpler time, The band in its latest iteration with re- when the band could complete a record in maining original Hermits, Peter Noone, a week and often went to the recording stu- 70, as lead singer and Jan Whitwam, 74, dio after a live show. on drums, will play with the Buckinghams “We were never lonely and it never wore at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Mayo Per- me down,” Noone said. “The road was a big forming Arts Center, 100 South Street in adventure.” Morristown. Noone said he had planned to play with The band’s debut single, a Carole King/ the band for a year and return to college. Gerry Goffin song called “I’m Into Some- “I was a lot smarter than all the kids in thing Good,” released in the summer of my school,” Noone said. “I had a plan.” 1964, hit number one in England and num- The band’s huge popularity, however, ber 13 in America. The band followed with kept Noone from returning to college. “Mrs. Brown, you’ve Got A Lovely Daugh- The band had mercurial success, outsell- ter,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” ing the Beatles in 1965 and 1966. They were “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Won- part of the second wave of the “British In- derful World.” “Just A Little Bit Better,” vasion,” playing several times on the Ed “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Sullivan show along with such 1960s favor- Avoid,” “Listen People,” “No Milk Today,” ites like “Hullabaloo.” “The End of the World,” “Leaning On A “We were much better than we thought Lamp Post” and “Dandy.” we were,” Noone said. “I never sing songs I don’t like,” said But Noone said he was humbled when Noone, who spoke about his career from the Monkees’ success began in the U.S. and his home in England. “Music is my happy around the world in 1966. space.” Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits will perform Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Mayo Performing “Once you realize the Monkees are on Noone was 15 when he joined Herman’s Arts Center in Morristown. their way to take you out of your position Hermits and 24 when the band broke up. it makes you pretty humble,” Noone said. He said he still enjoys live shows, remind- The band continued playing through the ing him of the fun he had performing at He said the Hermits were a hard-work- Noone said that although he was young, 1970s and had number one hits in England such venues as the legendary “Cavern” in ing touring band, made up of youths from he had a good education and was fairly in- and Australia. Members of the band also Liverpool. working-class families. Noone’s parents dependent. He attended St. Bede’s College, had changing musical tastes; some want- “Hit records are not the be all and end both attended university in their 30s and a grammar school in Manchester, and Sret- all,” Noone said. “I still love playing live.” both loved music. ford Grammar School, also in Manchester. PLEASE SEE HERMITS, PAGE 2 PAGE 2 Thursday, July 27, 2017 Out & About newjerseyhills.com ‘Italian Bred’ serves up Ragtime heats up Summer Jamfest The era of silent film returns to Centena- lent comedies ever made: Charlie Chaplin’s ry Stage Company at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. “One A.M.” (1916), Buster Keaton’s “Cops” laughs on Bickford stage 5, as The Peacherine Ragtime Society Or- (1922) and Laurel and Hardy’s “Big Busi- chestra performs in the Lackland Perform- ness” (1929) with their live historic orches- Actor and comedian Candice Guardino ing Arts Center in Hackettstown as the 2017 tral scores. Between the films, the orchestra brings her hit one-woman show “Italian Summer Jamfest continues. plays the rollicking rhythms of the early Bred” to the Morris Museum‘s Bickford As one of the few professional ensembles 20th century, featuring favorites by Scott Jo- Theatre for two performances at 8 p.m. dedicated to preserving America’s first pop- plin, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Saturday, Aug. 5, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6. ular music – ragtime – The Peacherine Rag- more. For more information on the band, The show, which had a critically ac- time Society Orchestra of Annapolis, Md., visit peacherineragtime.com. claimed Off-Broadway run in 2013, has has been praised for its work to preserve Advance tickets for the show cost $27.50 been playing to packed houses across the and share in America’s rich musical his- for adults and $22.50 for students. Ticket country for the past few years. tory. prices increase by $5 on the day of the per- Inspired by the acting career of her fa- The orchestra journeys back to the early formance. To purchase tickets, visit www. mous late uncle, Harry Guardino, Candice 1900s as they screen three of the greatest si- centenarystageco.org or call (908) 979–0900. has based her popular show on her own childhood experiences growing up Ital- ian on Staten Island. The show includes the unfiltered wisdom of her outspoken grandmother, unique stories of the dis- tinctive personalities of relatives, and Actor and comedian Candice Guardino video cameos from friends Leslie Jordan (“Will and Grace”), Mario Cantone (“Sex brings her hit one-woman show “Italian & the City”), Steve Schirripa (“The Sopra- Bred” to the Morris Museum‘s Bickford nos”), and Vic DiBitteto (“Mall Cop 2”). Theatre in August. Candice made a name for herself on the New York theatre scene with her outra- a tailgate picnic. The general public as well geously revealing one-woman show “S.O.S.” as ticket holders are invited to bring lawn which ran at Stage 72 and the Laurie Beech- chairs and small tables to dine al fresco on man. “Whether you are Italian or not, you’ll the Morris Museum grounds. The trucks relate to this very funny and touching will be serving until the 8 p.m. curtain. show,” said Eric Hafen, Bickford Theatre’s artistic director. “I’m sure that our audience Tickets for Italian Bred cost $40, $38 for seniors, will love this extremely talented comedian $35 for museum members and $20 for students who possesses a unique storytelling ability.” ages 18 and under or with valid college ID. Tickets Before the Saturday night performance, may be purchased online at www.morrismuseum. the Bickford Theatre will host three top food org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at The era of silent film returns to Centenary Stage Company at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, trucks at 5:30 p.m. so that guests may enjoy the box office. as The Peacherine Ragtime Society Orchestra performs in the Lackland Center. HERMITS: Peter Noone brings Recorder Community Newspapers British Invasion to Mayo Center FROM PAGE 1 sumed performing regularly and also be- & came a star VJ on MTV’s VH1 channel. Out About ed to play psychedelic music, others want- Noone also starred in three feature films, NEW JERSEY HILLS MEDIA GROUP ed to go disco. But Noone did not want to “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daugh- change the type of music. ter,” “Hold On!” and “When The Boys Meet • • Editor: Roberta Burkhart “We didn’t have a plan to be anything The Girls.” He has had guest-starring WHAT’S INSIDE Phone: (908) 766-3900 ext. 225 but Herman’s Hermits and that leaves you roles in television series such as “Married nowhere to go,” Noone said. With Children,” “My Two Dads,” “Dave’s Art ....................8 Fax: (908) 766-7199 These days, Noone said he may listen World” and “Too Close For Comfort.” Farmers Markets ........11 Address: to “Traffic,” one of his favorite bands or The Buckinghams number one song 17-19 Morristown Road, to classic Rolling Stones like the “Beggars was “Kind of a Drag,” which was fol- Kids ..................10 Banquet” and “Exile on Main Street” and lowed by seven national chart hits, 15 sin- Bernardsville, N.J. 07924 Van Morrison. gles, and eight albums. Since 1985, original Music .................11 Email: “We have 10 more years playing, we al- Buckinghams Carl Giammarese and Nick [email protected] ways say that,” Noone said. “We’ve out- Fortuna and their band have continued to Potpourri ...............9 lived all the competition for fun music.” perform. To be considered for Out & About, please After the band broke up, Noone found Sudoku .................9 send information by Tuesday, the week success on stage in “The Pirates of Tickets cost $39 to $79 and can be purchased at before the publication date.