This month's Guest Dee Jay is popular Gary Stevens. His "Gary Stevens Show" is heard 7 - 11 P.M. Mondays through Saturdays over WMCA, New York, New York.
A distinctive sound! Do you have it? That's the first question asked of each artist or group that hopes to pow it in the pop field. Ever since records - a 100% aural medium - became the heart and soul of the music business, it is the Sound-Differents who ride the crest. All boast that "first measure miracle," where but a note or two need be heard and you know who's "on."
Groups probably find it the most difficult to be individualistic. Of the rash of them grooving their way to you, so many are "just another group." When different, it may be due to an unusual lead singer, arrangement, or presentation - or a combination of these.
Herman's Hermits combine them well. Herman explains his groups sound is due to "a happy mixture of rock 'n' roll with oldtime English Music Hall music," a sound most evident in his hits, "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" and "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter." But it's more than that. Herman, like The Beatles, will go in any direction as long as he can reach you. And he does reach you - simply by having a point for each number he does. It may be a hard-hitting directness ("I'm Into Something Good") or an easy-to-catch novelty ("Henry ...."). His latest album, the soundtrack of HOLD ON! (MGM), is typical Herman, but his choice of album is, not surprisingly, THE BEST OF HERMAN'S HERMITS (MGM).
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