When pop idols reigned on radio, TV and film

Once upon a time, Fabian was to be the next Elvis Presley.

Bobby Rydell was such a 1950s icon that the high school in "Grease" was named after him.

And Peter Noone's band, Herman's Hermits, was at the forefront of the 1960s "British Invasion," along with The Beatles.

These days, the onetime pop idols play small theaters and college auditoriums on the oldies music circuit.

But in their heyday, Noone, Fabian and Rydell were fixtures on radio, television and even the silver screen.

Herman's Hermits produced a string of classic hits in the mid-1960s, including "I'm Into Something Good," "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat," "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and the novelty number, "I'm Henry VIII, I Am."

Rydell had hits with "Wild One," "Volare" and "Swingin' School" before starring in the 1963 film version of "Bye Bye Birdie" with Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke.

Fabian, whose full name is Fabian Forte, released singles such as "Hound Dog Man" and "I'm a Man." His matinee-idol looks landed him roles in dozens of films, including the World War II classic "The Longest Day."