Asheville Daily Planet — June 2013 — 17
‘British Invasion’ band captures N.C. town
By JOHN NORTH
john@ashevilledailyplanet.com
FRANKLIN — A dreary night with rain pounding outside — uncannily reminiscent of the famed lead singer’s native Manchester, England — provided a highly riveting counterpoint to the explosive May 4 show of music, light and fun presented by Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone inside the cozy confines of the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts. The group performed a 90-minute show with no intermission before about 800 people. For at least another 30 minutes afterward, Noone, 65, patiently signed autographs, posed for photographs and chatted with fans who lined up to meet the pop music icon. Noone, the original lead singer at age 15 of the mid-1960s British Invasion group, showed that he still has an awesome voice that somehow retains a boyish enthusiasm and inflection. He also showed his polished entertainer skills and quick-witted sense of humor. Indeed, Noone often had the audience clapping and singing along — and laughing — all at the same time. An intriguing aspect of the show were the efforts to replicate the mid-1960s British Invasion group look (all except Noone were attired in matching black suits), vintage instruments and equipment, highkicking moves by the guitarists, cheek-tocheek singing into microphones and other eccentric choreography of the era — and Dave Ferrara, a showboating drummer who frequently twirled his drumsticks into the air while flipping his moptop of hair front, back and sideways, eliciting occasional squeals of delight from women in the audience. The keyboardist sported Woody Allen-style, heavy-framed black glasses that were popular in the era. Also, perhaps to keep his band on the toes, Noone did not perform from a traditional set list, but instead called out the songs as they came to mind — and the resulting effect struck me as more spontaneous and exciting. The so-called British Invasion of the United States was launched by The Beatles,
Daily Planet Staff Photos
Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone brought back the era of the mid1960s during a May 4 concert at the SMCPA in Franklin. marked by the foursome’s appearance in are originals with Herman’s Hermits. February 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The band members, clad in attire of the By May 8, 1965, nine of the top 10 spots era, suddenly appeared on stage, adjusting on the weekly Hot 100’s Top 10 were held their instruments and looking out solemnly by British Invasion groups. The British at the crowd, providing a truly surreal middomination continued on the charts, but by 1960s effect, as the excited crowd arose to 1967 rock music style had spread worldits feet and began clapping out a rhythm. wide, ending the “invasion.” Over the sound system, a deep voice reBesides the aforementioned Beatles cited some of the group’s accomplishments, and Hermits, some other famous bands of including that in 1965 and 1966, Herman’s the era included The Rolling Stones, The Hermits rivaled The Beatles on the U.S. Kinks, The Who, The Hollies, The Dave charts and was the top-selling pop act in Clark Five, The Zombies, The Animals, the U.S. in 1965. The group registered 11 Gerry and the Pacemakers and The YardTop Ten hits in the U.S. from 1964 through birds. The British Invasion is credited in 1967, by which time they had sold 40 milsome circles with bringing the countercullion records worldwide. ture into the mainstream. It also influenced Also noted was that the group’s nomithe attire of youths around the world, bring- nation for two Grammy awards in 1965 ing a more mod styling into vogue. for “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Noone’s high-energy show in Franklin Daughter.” started exactly at the scheduled time and Finally, Herman’s Hermits was introended almost exactly 90 minutes later. Beduced as “one of the top three bands of the sides Noone out front, mostly just singing British Invasion.” (but occasionally playing rhythm guitar, As the crowd clapped appreciatively, too) were two guitarists, a keyboardist and Noone and his mates launched into the a drummer. Occasionally, one of the guitar- infectiously optimistic “I’m Into Something ists would play bass or some other instruGood” (which reached No. 1 on the U.K. ment. The musicians, who provided excepsingles chart and No. 13 in the U.S. in late tional backup vocal harmony for Noone 1964). included Vince Brescia, Billy Sullivan, The cheering never stopped as Herman’s Rich Spina and Ferrara. None of the quartet Hermits then jumped into “What a Wonder-
Aspiring pop star Colt Sherrill (left), 16, of Mount Olive chats with Herman’s Hermits original lead singer Peter Noone, as the latter signs autographs after a May 4 concert at the SMCPA in Franklin. Sherrill said he is writing new songs in the style of the mid-1960s British Invasion and plans to give it his best shot at bringing back that genre as he makes a leap into the Asheville music scene this summer.
ful World,” as a four-year-old girl danced merrily and waved a pair pompons in one of the aisles on the front row near the stage. Her parents and grandparents nearby grooved with the music. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, moms and dads, girls and boys” and, he said with a mock sob, “grandmothers and grandfathers.” The audience laughed. “When I was just a young boy growing up in Manchester, England, I dreamed of one day performing in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina,” Noone quipped. Through the years, he and his band have played many nightclubs and other humble venues “and now look where we are — a performing arts center!” Later in the show, he said, “I’d like to do my favorite Herman’s Hermits songs” — 1965’s “End of the World” — and “I’d like to dedicate it to” everyone in the audience and those who have followed the band loyally through the years. “End of the World” appeared to be the most vocally challenging song of the night — and Noone sang it immaculately. He also sang a verse of the song talk-style, with his hand touching his heart, for dramatic effect. “That was a No. 2,” Noone declared, with a note of sadness. “From now on, we’re only playing No. 1 Herman’s Hermits songs.” The group then finished the concert with sparkling renditions of “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat?” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and a 15-minute version (or so it seemed) of the finale, “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am.” Noone and his band received a standing ovation for their efforts from the crowd.
Young songwriter plans to bring new sounds of British Invasion to Asheville EDITOR’S NOTE: Among the younger attendees of the Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone concert May 4 in Franklin was Colt Sherill, a teenager who was on a field trip with the West Rowan High School Junior Classical League club. The following is the text of an email he sent to the Daily Planet, explaining his interest in Herman’s Hermits and his future aspirations. • “This was the second time the JCL club had seen Peter Noone live, the first was in High Point last time he performed in NC. “Our Latin teacher, Steve Daniel, who was in charge of taking us on the 3-hour trip to Franklin, was the one who first turned us on to Herman’s Hermits. During every test taken in Latin, he plays Herman’s Hermits and we have heard every song so many times that it is almost impossible to get the melodies out of your head...yet we never grow tired of the music. To give you an idea of how
successful our JCL program is, we have won the state convention 17 years in a row! “For me, I’ve been playing guitar and bass for about 3 years now. In the past I have been unsuccessful in putting a group together because many kids today are into heavier rock and aren’t very keen on playing music by groups such as Herman’s Hermits, The Beatles, Cream, The Rolling Stones etc. “I hope to put together a group and earn gigs in the Asheville area this summer because of it’s rich music scene and just have fun remaking the music that shocked the world in the ‘60s. In a way I feel as if it is my duty to promote this style of music and to expose the younger generations to it who have been corrupted by Hip-Hop and Heavy Metal. “I asked Peter Noone after the concert for any advice he could give to an aspiring musician and songwriter, and he told me that the key is persistance. That is the best advice I have ever received!
$2 Tuesdays
$2 domestic draft Wednesdays Breakfast Club-Brunch menu served until noon on Sundays before shows.