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BRITISH groups have dominated the world pop markets for a couple of years now. But is their influence beginning to wane? One person who holds strong views on the subject is Herman, who can claim to be the most popular British star in America throughout 1965. "I don't think British groups are going to get as many hits in the States in future," says Herman. "And the reason is that they have lost their originality. When British groups first became popular we were all dead original. We were the first with long hair and all that. Now all the American groups have long hair. But instead of coming up with something new most of our groups are still keeping to long hair and are playing Otis Redding and other Americans." Does Herman try to produce a British sound then? "I'm British," he says. "And although most of our songs are written by Americans you always hear our own, original versions. We don't just do copies of other people's songs." Herman had taken time out for our interview while recording his current hit, "A Must To Avoid" in French. "We are hoping for a hit in France," he explained. On Monday he left for his first trip to Australia, New Zealand and Japan with Tom Jones. I suggested that "Must To Avoid" stood a good chance of reaching number one while he was away and asked if he had met the composer, P.F. Sloan. "That was how we got the song," he said. "we met him in Los Angeles and he played us a lot of his stuff. We have recorded about five of his songs." Sloan's first big hit was Barry McGuire's "Eve of Destruction." Had he tried to turn Herman on to protest songs? "No" laughed Herman. "He did all that for a joke as far as I know. The only protesting he does seems to be trying to avoid being called up." |
Does Herman select all the material he records? "Mickie Most and the group all look for songs," he said. "If any one of us doesn't like a song we don't do it. We are a co-operative group and nobody has complete control. "A couple of the lads in the group have written songs and I keep trying, but all the stuff I write is rubbish. Nobody ever likes it. I can only play three chords on the guitar and when I play the piano they all boo me." Does Herman rehearse his stage movements? "No never," he says. "If we did it would all go wrong. We would probably rehearse something for five days and then the first time we did it on stage we'd start laughing and make a mess of it. We prefer things to happen naturally." What is the latest news on Herman's Hollywood film? "The latest is that it will be released here at Easter" reports Herman. "it has been previewed in America and everybody said they liked it so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. "My manager has just been to the States discussing possibilities for the next film but nothing has been settled yet." Does Herman intend to spend more time acting in future? Does he have ambitions to star in a West End musical? "No, no particular acting plans apart from another film," he says. "And Ive certainly no ambition for the West End." He has done a lot of TV work in both Britain and the States. Does he think it's time for a change of format for Britain's TV pop shows? "I don't think they should have taken Stramash off - it was a very good show, although Top Of The Pops is still the best. "I haven't seen much TV for a long time, but I saw Ready, Steady, Go! on New Years Eve. A bit embarrassing, wasn't it? |