Author: Jim Feliciano

The English Group, whose leader, — “the one with the tooth” — is only 17, has themselves a smash, and another on the way — Music Business

 

IT JUST FIT. “I mean–Hermit fits so well with Herman, that there was nothing more to it. We became Herman’s Hermits. And just in case you don’t know who I am, I’m Herman-the one with the tooth. Actually, my real name is Peter Blair Dennis Bernard Noone. It’s really a bit much. Herman’s so much easier, don’t you think?”

Sometimes Herman plays a little piano. Other times he claps a bit. Most times he makes hit records, like “I’m Into Something Good”, and now “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”. There was also a record called “Show Me Girl”, which was never released here, but nonetheless hit the British charts.

Herman is only 17–honest, it’s no publicity gimmick. But already he and the Hermits have made one trip to the U.S., and he’s due back again next month to go out with the group as special guest stars on the Dick Clark package.

ALMOST AN ACTOR. At one time he was going to be an actor. He even got roles in two television shows, and appeared in two children’s plays, but since he became a singer, he’s given up all thoughts of pursuing an acting career. “I didn’t like the people anyway”, he says. “On the other hand, of course, if it would be a movie, then that’s something else.

“I believe there’s a possibility of a film for MGM as soon as a suitable script can be found. I’d like a dramatic role, and it has to be a supporting one. A starring part would be a little beyond me right now.”

Herman, who is fascinated by such unlikely things as Afghanistan steaks and launderettes (he would like to open a cross country chain of them when he’s made enough money), was a little uncertain about the success of his first record, “I’m Into Something Good”, released here on MGM.

KNOCKED OUT. “I felt sick when I first heard it. I went flat on one of the notes in the song. Wanted to go over it again, but when I discovered it would be another four hour session, we had to leave it as it was. Because we weren’t confident about it was why we were so knocked out when it happened”. (The record stayed at the top of the British charts for three weeks, and went top twenty here).

Herman had more faith in his second British release, “Show Me Girl”, but said he realized why it didn’t get higher than 20 in their charts, when he heard it on the radio for the first time. It was never released here. Instead, MGM came out with “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”, his current smash. Strangely enough, this record has been covered for England by an American group, “Goldie and the Gingerbreads”, and is their first hit in the British charts. However, Herman’s recording of it was never released over there, and he and his group are happily holding down the current number 4 slot with “Silhouettes”.

With all these records flying about, even Herman could be forgiven for getting a little confused. But what do you do, when, having experienced success in two different countries, with a variety of different discs, you have the added problem of a hit track from your first L.P.

MRS. BROWN TRACK. “Introducing Herman’s Hermits”, came out here a little more than a month ago. Already in the top hundred, just last week a flush of radio stations all over the country, decided to lay on “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and use it as a single track on their station playlists. MGM is now faced with the dilemma of whether or not this track should be issued as the group’s new single. At press time there had been no definite decision, but it would seem like a good idea.

Getting back to the group, Herman’s Hermits present line up has been together about six months. They were called the Heartbeats and playing the local Manchester, England, scene, when Herman joined them, and had a pretty big following even then.

Herman’s name is derived from a British TV series called “The Bullwinkle Show”. In it, there’s a character called Sherman, who bears a strange resemblance to Peter Noone. The Heartbeats mistook the name, called their new lead singer Herman, and changed their name to the Hermits.

Their record producer is Mickie Most, who signed them after having traveled North especially to watch one of their concerts. The rest of the group comprises of Karl Green (bass guitar), Derek Leckenby (lead and rhythm guitar), Barry Whitwarn (drums) and Keith Hopwood (lead and rhythm guitar).

DECIDED IDEAS. Herman has very decided ideas on lots of things. Speaking frankly, a little while after his first hit, he said “Of course our initial success has knocked us out, and the extra money has been very useful. But I’m jealous of ne groups that keep cropping up. They make things harder”.

Herman says that he loves what he’s seen of show business, and never wants to leave it. Realizing that trends are forever changing, he says he hopes he and the Hermits will always be able to adapt their style to fit in accordingly.

He’s looking forward tremendously to his next trip here, next month, and figures that although the Dick Clark tour is going to be pretty exhausting, the experience, and exposure will be worth it.

“I mean, it’s great to be the first ever British group on a Dick Clark package”, he says. “We hear so much about it in England, and how successful it is, that it’s a terrific honor to be invited to go on it. Of course, we’ve worked and traveled with American acts at home, but traveling in the U.S. will help us get a real feel for their music, and ours. It’s also encouraging to know that this is known as a very successful show, which makes it all the better”. END

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Information, credit and news source: Music Business, March 27, 1965