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A wave (and a funny face) from 'Erman at the glass window made the huge crowd scream even louder for him! |
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SUDDENLY, the reasonably quiet pool at the Seville Hotel on Miami Beach, became a mass of
young people shouting, screaming and running in every which way. HERMAN and the HERMITS had arrived for what they had hoped was going to be an uninterrupted swim before their hotel press conference and a later concert at the Miami Convention Hall. There was much unrestrained excitement in the air - as there was throughout the whole of Herman's last tour, but usually, the police and security men managed to keep the mass hysteria in hand. Herman, who nearly always travels in casual dress, preferring sloppy sweaters in mad colors,arrived in his favorite garb of jeans and a red, white and blue cotton tee shirt. The crowd at the pool could hardly fail to notice this outfit, and they converged on him the minute his tousled blond head peeked outside the hotel. He spent approximately ten minutes at the pool before rushing back to his ninth floor suite to tidy up for the press conference. The Hermits were luckier. They were able to get a swim in before scrambling out to meet Herman back at the hotel.  Herman is cooperative about signing autographs,'specially when his fans behave so well Everybody wanted pictures and autographs. Herman complies wherever he can, but cannot do the impossible, such as get up from the middle of eating dinner at the demand of fans waiting outside. On this particular day in Miami, time permitted him little chance to sign autograph books, as, for the most part, besides keeping to his schedule, he was on the phone to local dee-jays and the such. He never minds crowds, providing they're in the right place at the right time. He's not too happy about scores of people converging on his privacy, although he's not the type to shoo them off. Regarding the scene at the pool in Miami, he just shrugged, said, "They had as much right to be there as I did. After all, the pool is for the use of hotel guests." The same kind of pool incident happens everywhere. Herman's used to it by now, but again stresses as long as people leave him alone when he wants to relax, he's quite happy. But it's only natural that some people will try for every available shot. In New Orleans, Herman,the group and WAYNE FONTANA and the MIND-BENDERS had the entire afternoon to themselves before that night's concert. Herman, myself and the group were talking on the sundeck, each one taking it in turns to go for a dip. Suddenly, everyone in the place came over to request pictures and autographs. Herman said no. pointing out that if he gave in to one request, he'd have to give in to all. But he was fair. He said that he would sign autographs as he left the pool, and would be happy to do it then. And he did. He tries never to let his fans down, and in most cases comes through admirably.  Wherever Herman goes, his fans are sure to follow(above). Herman loves to swim and he likes to read. His intelligence must not be' underestimated, and he's stuck on reading matter which he feels will educate his mind. For instance. On a very early morning plane from Miami to Birmingham, Alabama, he picked up a copy of a magazine and was reading an intensive article on the Ku Klux Klan. Every so often,he'd stop and put red marks against certain comments. Then he'd discuss them with me and give his own opinion on the subject. Often he would make statements that were over my head, but would patiently explain his views in conjunction with what he'd just read. Of course, his reading goes to the other extremes too-such as science fiction and detective stories. Most of his reading is done in bed in the small hours of the night, because he says that's the only time he has to catch up with himself. As for the swimming bit, he'll be the first one in any pool-but beware if you happen to be there the same time! Herman is a very strong swimmer, and he cuts a pretty fair figure on the diving board too. But he's still only 18, and his idea of having a good time in the pool includes anyone else who's young, poolside and in a bathing suit.
We were in Memphis when Herman decided to go swimming. It was almost empty except for a
small crowd of adoring fans. At first all we did was swim around, and the boys took a few good leaps off the diving board. But then they started looking around for more excitement. The young manager of the hotel, FRANK TAYLOR, decided he'd join in the fun, and just as he emerged in his bathing suit-sloosh! he got a whole pail of water over him, thrown from the third floor terrace. Everyone in the party, including MGM executives and road manager BOB LEVINE was subjected to the same treatment when they were least expecting it. |
and went to work on the menu. Considering he's slim for his height, he has a very hearty appetite. He ordered his inevitable glass of milk -"it gives me energy," he explained and then discussed the menu with the maitre d'. He wrinkled his nose at some suggestions, absolutely refused fish and decided on a well done steak with a baked potato.
"My mum would be proud of me," he said when
the plate was scraped clean and he was on his dessert of strawberries and fresh cream. "She worries that I don't eat when I'm not home."  The well-dressed Herman and his Hermits. Herman is a delightful dinner companion. His conversation is witty and bright and he has beautiful manners. On the road he uses this eating break as an opportunity to discuss the tour with managers HARVEY LISBERG and CHARLIE SILVERMAN, and' his agent, FRANK BARSALONA. At the end of the meal, we'd find all sorts of hieroglyphics written on napkins, menu and the tablecloth. That was the boys working out percentages of the gross amount, and then figuring out Herman's sum total. When Herman is eating, this is not the time for an outsider to discuss business. He's certainly not quick tempered, but he'll respect you all the more if you wait till the opportune moment.  'Erman shops for "shades." Says he, "I dig the bloody things." And we dig you! Once during the tour, he said to me, "You haven't interviewed me yet." I replied that I work on situations rather than straight questions and answers, which I can pick up from any press conference. He was quite delighted with this, and as a result I was often able to sneak in questions without him realizing that his answers were duly recorded. For instance, when I saw him dressed in his light grey silk stage suit, I commented that now I could understand how he'd been chosen one of the ten best men in England. His reply was, "I'm glad they took into consideration what I wear on stage and for going out, because if they were to see me sloppy, I don't think I'd have stood a chance." I think he was being modest. He looks extremely well in all his clothes, and even when dressed in a casual way, is able to wear them with dash. He's sort of sophisticated without being aware of it. I've mentioned some of the daytime incidents which happened during the four days on the road with Herman's Hermits and Wayne Fontana. Naturally, you're interested in what happens during the shows, how they manage to get in and out of the theatre and hotels etc., and what he does when he's finally through working for the night.
June Harris and 3 of the Hermits yakking during one of their 4 days 'n nites together For this I think I'll start in the middle and work through to both ends. You might think that because it's Herman, he's young and wants to enjoy life that he's out every night of the week. He does go out. That much I can tell you. It's not as frequently as you might think, especially when he's on the road. He's fit for nothing but sleep after a show, or he has to return to the hotel to make phone calls and meet various local people such as promoters. Often there are parties thrown in his honor, which he is duty bound to attend even if he's exhausted. Of course, a lot of them are fun and once there, Herman forgets he's tired.  In a wacky mood the boys cut up by acting like regular "twits!" in New Orleans, Herman and the group had been given keys to the city and were made honorary citizens at a tarmac reception as we alighted from the plane. The promoter planned a party in the boys' honor after the show at an exclusive country club, about a 20-minute drive outside the city. No one was warned, but after the show, the cars drove everyone straight out to the club instead of back to the hotel. Herman got there before anyone else. He stayed for a little while, and then insisted on returning to the hotel to change. I guess people thought he wouldn't come back. But they were wrong. He showered, dressed and returned, and danced up a storm until about 4 in the morning
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| (L.) 'Erm tickles Sam the Sham in their new flick, When The Boys Meet the girls (middle) and (r.) Fab pix of "Sweetface!" | ||