WE'RE JUST KIDDING THE WORLD WITH OUR MUSIC. OUR MUSIC IS RUBBISH AND WE ARE JUST IN THIS THING FOR THE MONEY.

IT WAS the banner line in a weekly scandal- type newspaper. It's not the kind of paper most teenagers would even think of buying, but the big picture of Herman on the cover had lured them to the newsstands and caused them to fork over their money. Once they started reading, they got the shock of their lives.
    Was it true? Did Herman really says a thing like that? Who could believe it!
Well, 16 Magazine would not take that paper's word for such a terrible statement by one of the world's most beloved teen kings, so there was nothing to do but get Herman on the phone. What a relief it was to hear him explain (in his charming Manchester accent):
    "I never said any such thing! I should know by now that certain press people are going to distort and change whatever I say I really hate it, but what can I do? However, I know that 16 never tells lies and that I can always turn to it to help me set the record straight!
    "When that paper interviewed me, I said that we (Herman's Hermits) are not the greatest musicians in the world - I think the Beatles are the best, and we all look up to them. I said that we take our work seriously, are working hard and trust that we are improving all the time.
    "That paper also said that I said we are in show business just for the money, and don't care about our fans. That is not true! First off, we would all do the exact same thing we are doing now even if we didn't get paid for it. I love singing, and the boys love performing. It makes us happy when we can express ourselves and at the same time make others happy. Do you realize how rewarding that is? Money could never buy the deep-down joy this feeling gives us. The fact that we've all ended

  up making money doing what we love to do is just good luck. I wish everyone in the world could be as lucky as we are.
    "As for that rubbish about us not caring for our fans - well, they know better. We don't consider the wonderful young kids of America as our "fans." To us, they are friends - close, personal friends. That may have been said before, but the boys and I mean it from the bottom of our hearts. Where would we be today without the American teenagers? Back in a cellar in Manchester - that's where! We feel that our fans are special people. Somehow, they seem different from all other teeners. They write beautiful letters to us and send us lovely cards and gifts. My mum and I keep a book with the home address in it of every single person who has ever written to us. When we have time, the whole family sits down and writes letters to the kids we've heard from. I know there are many of you out there who have heard from me and from Keith Lek, Karl and Barry.
    "When we play live concerts, we always make an effort to stay backstage and allow our Stateside friends to visit with us. Sometimes the police think it is better to shove off - and sometimes they are right. But on the whole we've managed to find a lot of time for those who care enough to make the effort to see us, get our autographs and chat us up.
    "The last lie I wish to snuff is that I said the Beatles are through as a singing group. Now, that reporter really went soft - plain daft. Such a thought has never crossed my mind. I think the Beatles are the greatest thing to happen in show business ever! They will be around long after most of the rest of us are forgotten.
    Well, it's been fab to get this whole thing out in the open and to get these worrisome thoughts off my chest. Please remember this: in the future, when you hear bad things about me and the lads - just turn to 16 Magazine. It's there that you'll find the real truth!

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