There is a quantum leap between Peter Noone and Herman’s Hermits.
On one hand is the teenage 1960s rock star called Herman, wallowing in nostalgia and British Invasion music.
Then there is the 2018 Peter: A 70-year-old frisky, fun-loving dude with golden locks, blue eyes and a severe case of the rocking pneumonia and boogie-woogie blues.
Noone seemed to step into a time warp Friday before a sold out crowd at Savannah Center. He delivered a high-energy, wildly entertaining concert. Noone sang such Hermits’ standards as “Dandy,” “Just A Little Bit Better,” “Kind of Hush,” “Mrs. Brown…” “I’m Into Something Good” and a rousing sing-a-long on “I’m Henry the VIII I Am.”
It was like being caught somewhere between 1965 and now, and Noone — who once appeared in the TV show “Quantum Leap” — has been there before.
“I’ve lived through the ‘60s twice,” cracked Noone, wearing a steel blue suit, checked shirt and blue bow tie. “I’m talking about the musical 60s with all those great bands, and I’m talking about my 60s,” he added.
Both 60s are gone but the fans still feel good about the one time teen dream who looks remarkably youthful for an oldie but goodie.
Glenda Street, wearing an outfit best described as a Union Jack, didn’t need a calendar to enjoy this show.
“I don’t care if it’s 1965 or now, I love that man,” Street said.
“I am 67 going on 17,” added her friend Jean Howard, also wearing a Union Jack outfit. “Peter Noone makes me feel like a kid again.”
“He’s still cute,” added Villager Sandy Oberg. “When I was a kid I had a life-size poster of him on my closet door. I’m here tonight for nostalgia. He still sounds great and those songs bring back the old days.”
Her friend, Villager Carole Wulk agreed.
“Back in the day I loved his music and I love hearing him sing those songs now,” she said.
Noone and his tight band opened with one of his first big hits, “I’m Into Something Good.” It had a power pop, accessible sound that came through loud and clear in a 1965 Mustang car radio. The same could be said for “Wonderful World,” and “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat.”
For “Dandy,” Noone decided to get up close and personal with the crowd.
“These lights are too bright on stage, I want to come out where I can see you,” Noone said. He came down to the floor of the Savannah Center running up and down the aisles, talking with fans and singing.
Noone held up a couple of Hermits’ album covers the fans brought with them. Then he sang a lively cover of the Beatles’ “All My Loving.”
Noone also displayed his passion for The Villages.
“What a thrill to be in The Villages again,” Noone said during some hearty jive talking. “When me and the guys in the band were little kids in England, we always said our dream was to play The Villages.
“This place reminds me of England – except everybody drives the wrong way on the round-a-bouts.”
Noone showed his tender side on “Listen People,” another Hermits’ smash. Another soft song came when he covered the Monkees’ “Daydream Believer.” He got back into a rocking groove on “Sea Cruise.”
All in all, it was quite a night for a ’60s rocker who hit 70 and refuses to act his age.
“We’re like Peter,” Sandy Oberg said. “We’re not old. We’re mature.”
Or, as Jean Howard said: “We feel young.”
Long live the Pepsi Generation.
