Iconic music acts Tommy James and the Shondells alongside Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone are set to perform at the Minnesota State Fair Grandstand on August 31. Tickets for the highly anticipated concert will be available from $33 to $53.75, going on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday through Etix or via phone at 800-514-3849.
Celebrating Classic Hits
The concert is scheduled for the first Monday of the State Fair, a traditional evening dedicated to celebrating ’60s pop music. In previous years, this night has featured popular acts, including the Happy Together package tour led by the Turtles. This year, the inclusion of both James and Noone promises to attract a crowd eager to relive the magic of the era.
Tommy James began his musical journey at the age of 12 in 1959, forming the band that would evolve into the Shondells five years later. They achieved their breakout success with the hit song “Hanky Panky” in 1966, followed by other notable tracks like “Mirage,” “Sweet Cherry Wine,” and “Crystal Blue Persuasion.” Several of these songs experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 1980s through covers by artists such as Tiffany with “I Think We’re Alone Now,” Billy Idol with “Mony Mony,” and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with “Crimson and Clover.” Notably, Prince also paid homage to “Crimson and Clover” on his 2009 album “Lotusflow3r.”
Herman’s Hermits: A British Invasion Legacy
Herman’s Hermits, a leading band from the British Invasion era, emerged in the early 1960s, following the monumental success of The Beatles. Between March and August 1965, the group dominated the Billboard charts, securing 24 consecutive weeks in the Top Ten with five singles. Their chart-toppers included “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry VIII, I Am.” Other memorable hits include “I’m into Something Good,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” and “There’s a Kind of Hush.”
The addition of James and Noone further enhances the lineup for the Minnesota State Fair, which also features previously announced headliners such as Bonnie Raitt on August 27, Weird Al Yankovic on August 28, Sierra Ferrell on August 30, and Rod Stewart on September 1.
