 Chart newcomers Herman's Hermits have been added to ABC-TV's "Lucky Stars Summer Spin" on Saturday, September 12. Also set are Billie Davis, and Me And Them, but Susan Maughan will not now appear. Rolf Harris completes the September 5 line-up. New bookings for September 19 include the Ladybirds, Tom Jones, Dana Valery, and Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers. |
 I"M keeping my fingers crossed for a hat trick," admitted independent disc producer Mickie Most. And now he can start uncrossing them for his third chart bid has paid off - in the form of a catchy ditty entitled "I'm Into Something Good." And the group who sing it, Herman's Hermits, join Mickie's other chart names the Animals and the Nashville Teens by charging in at No. 25. Herman's Hermits first came to the attention of Mr. Most when he received a telegram. It stated blankly: "Come and discover Herman and his Hermits." Enclosed was an air ticket to Manchester and a hotel reservation. Mickie went, and discovered, and the outfits's first hit is the result. Although the present Herman's Hermits have been together only three months, the Manchester group has a loyal following. In fact from all reports, "Hermania" has many Manchester teenagers in its grip, with "We Love Herman" sweaters all the vogue! Herman joined the group when they were known as the Heartbeats. They were playing at a youth club and short of a singer. He filled the gap. Herman is 16-year-old Peter Noone. He has up to now been concentrating on acting. He has played any TV parts (including Len Fairclough's son in four episodes of |
 HERMAN'S HERMITS - (l. to r.): KARL GREEN, BARRY WHITWAM, HERMAN, KEITH HOPWOOD AND DEREK "LEK" LECKENBY. "Coronation Street", but it was a "Knight Errant" episode that put him on to singing. The part required Peter to sing and so he combined drama lessons with singing lessons. "I've given up all thoughts of acting now. I'd much sooner have the group," he told me. "I didn't like the people much anyway." And where did the Herman bit originate? "From a character in a TV programme called "The Bullwinkle Show," he says. The fellow was called Sherman and the rest of the group thought he bore a strong resemblance to me! Anyway they mistook the name and I've been Herman ever since." First it was Herman and his Hermits, but it was soon cut to plain Herman's Hermits. The four-man Hermits are Karl Green, Bass guitar, Derek Leckenby, lead and rhythm guitar and Keith Hopwood, lead and rhythm guitar - all from Manchester. Drummer Barry Whitwam, 18, is a Leeds man. |
