Mood:  cool

Our 2007 season of outdoor concerts began with Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits who performed to a record New Jersey crowd this past Saturday, June 9th. They are on tour and their next concert appearance will be on July 18th 2007, Canyonville, OR at Seven Feathers Casino.

Peter Noone seen here fronting for Herman's Hermits, continuing the US portion of their world tour in New Jersey

You'll remember Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits as part of the "British Invasion", coming over with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones in the 1960's. Having more in common with the Beatles than other groups, they are one of the few bands from that era who are still performing. Like the Beatles, Herman's Hermits style of music is the English skiffle. Skiffle was a novelty music form originating in New Orleans in the 1920s and played through the 40s. It had largely faded from view when, in the late 1950s, skiffle was reborn as a major musical movement in the United Kingdom. This when the Beatles and other groups began entry into performing at the local pubs. When the cry of, "The British are coming with their new sound", rang out, it was simply the little remembered skiffle reappearing. Skiffle was the British equivalent of rockabilly, a new form of music, loud and fast, with a direct communication between the musicians and the audience. Like American rockabilly, British skiffle is one of the direct ancestors of rock and roll. This is why it is important to listen to many different genres of music, not just what you personally enjoy playing.

Peter is known for writing the group's songs, many of which became solid hits of the 1960's such as, "I'm Into Something Good", "Must to Avoid", "Can't You Feel My Heartbeat?", "There's a Kind of Hush" and "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter". He's currently promoting his Greatest Hits Live album with all of these top tunes plus quite a few more. Noone recently appeared on the televised singing competition American Idol on March 20, 2007 as a mentor for the male contestants on the show. He then performed "There's a Kind of Hush" on American Idol on March 21, 2007. Peter is a fantastic performer and says his band's staying power is due to the fact that they've never used drugs. At age 59, he is still kicking it! Add to this mix a very energetic lead guitarist in tails who plays a wireless so he can do these crazy kick steps while playing and singing. Include a keyboard / guitarist called "Fatty", (really he's not), who was amazing on both instruments yet kind enough to encourage me in my music career when we spoke after the show. Plug in a serious bass player with a precision drummer to back it all up and you have a very polished rock n' roll performance worthy of a world tour.

What kind of equipment did these guys haul from England? Well, I did notice a beautiful vintage cabineted Roland Stage Amp and a full sized Kurzweil keyboard when I went up to the stage as they were packing up. Take note. This is the kind of equipment that holds up on a world tour, on and off the plane and with baggage handlers. Amps and instruments like these will surely survive your local gigs as well. Here's my hand autographed CD of Herman's Hermits Greatist Hits Live from the June 9th concert. "Fatty", the keyboardist / guitarist also signed the inside cover. This is a outstanding concert tour! You too can become a "noone-a-tic" by visiting Peter Noone online at: Peter Noone on the Web

Links to the professional equipment cited in this article:

Roland Amplifiers

Kurzweil Professional Keyboards

In our upcoming issue...... Which digital recording studios really make the grade? Which guitar model can impress acoustically yet still come through flawlessly in a recording studio session?  Which portable PA systems stand and deliver at a live concert?  Stay tuned!!!

UPDATE!!!: Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits responds to reading this article:

07/01/2007                    5:41PM 

Hello doc,

Loved the article
Thank you so much
Hope we get back to NJ soon?
See you next time I see you!!!!!

--
Peter Noone
Herman