Herman’s Hermits featuring Peter Noone / The Grass Roots- Batavia Downs, Batavia, NY – 07-29-2023

PHOTOS- THOMAS S. ORWAT, JR.

Batavia, NY- Two of the most popular acts of the late 1960s, Herman Hermits, featuring Peter Noone and The Grass Roots, played a co-headlining show at The Batavia Downs racetrack last Friday evening. Both bands played well-received, hit-filled sets to the delight of the jammed packed, music-loving audience.

Over their career, The Grass Roots have sold over 20 million records worldwide. They had chart-topping hits with songs like “Let’s Live for Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” and “Sooner or Later.”

The Grass Roots currently consist of Mark Dawson on bass and lead vocals (since 2008), Dusty Hanvey on lead guitar and backing vocals (since 1984), Larry Nelson on keyboards, synthesizers, and backing vocals (since 1984), and Joe Dougherty on drums and percussion (since 1989). Although none of the current members were part of the band’s classic line-up, these four musicians have kept the legacy of the band alive and active and certainly performed with the spirit of the original band.

Herman’s Hermits, (featuring Peter Noone) were one of the most popular bands of the 1960s, with chart-topping hits that included “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” and “Silhouettes.” Peter Noone’s performance on this evening was very entertaining, his deadpan sense of humor was on full display this evening, poking fun at himself, the audience members and the city of Batavia. At age 75, he still commands the stage, and puts on a great show and can still convincedly sing the classics.

For more information on the Batavia Down Summer Concert Series, please visit here.

The Grass Roots