 Herman, lead singer of the famous five, takes five! |
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You know how much fun it is to listen to Herman's Hermits on record, and watch them on television, and see them in person and all that. Well, it's just about twice as much fun to be a Hermit as it is to have these lads around to entertain us And the fivesome proved it by having the blast of a lifetime in America this past summer. It all started when Herman and his Hermits arrived in our country to do a personal appearance tour, guest on many TV shows and make a movie in Hollywood. The plane trip was a ball. The Hermits are all very good friends, and by the time they landed in America, they were all clutching their sides for fear that one more "good larf"would cause an explosion. All except Herman, that is. For some odd reason, he was clutching his jaw. But no one really paid much attention until they were settled in their hotel. Then a closer look was taken at poor Herman and he was promptly delivered to the nearest dentist. True, languishing in the chair of a thousand horrors isn't really anyone's idea of fun, especially Herman's, but while he was parting with his famous fang, the ball really started rolling. Right in the middle of his ordeal, a press agent came rushing in with "the big news", Herman had just been named one of the ten best dressed men in England, by the Clothing Mfg. Federation. The other nine were statesmen, tycoons, barons, and wow, what an honor for a seventeen-year old rock and roll star!!! Right, Herman baby? "Right", echoed Herman baby although it sounded more like "rrouf" because the dentist had gleefully packed Herman's mouth with several tons of indistinguishable objects And that wasn't all, the press agent continued. The news was out ! Swarms of reporters and photographers were waiting for a statement from the well-clad lad himself! Toothache or no toothache, this was one press conference he just couldn't miss. So hop out of that chair and get ready for inspection . Right! "Wrong," thundered Herman, mouthful or no mouthful. "Didn't you know all me clothes are missing ?" His trunk had somehow been delayed between America and London,leaving one of England's best dressed without a thing to wear So the panic was on to find Herman a suit that would fit both him and his new station in life. One was finally located, just in the knick of time, and the show went on as requested. Toothache or no toothache. After this zany beginning, the Hermits then began a nationwide tour of one-nighters, playing to capacity houses in most of the major cities. As was expected, the Hermits were usually surrounded by fans everywhere they went, and in one city found a very determined girl hiding on the top shelf of their dressing room closet ! Unfortunately, there was room for one or two moreas Herman's trunk still hadn't caught up with its master. Out of all the English groups who have visited our fair shores, Herman and his Hermits made the most of their chance to see America. Boys will be boys, and these boys added new life to that old adage by sneaking about and doing a lot of sightseeing in their spare |
moments. They knew they could be mobbed at any moment during one of their stealthy
treks, but did that stop them ? Hardly ! They put on sunglasses and American accents and lived, and didn't seem to care one whit if they were living a little dangerously. Second to the most fun thing that happened to the group during their stay was their three-day stint on the payroll of M-G-M studios in Hollywood. The Hermits arrived at the studio at 7 o'clock on a Monday morning, yawning a bit but eager to report for work. They' were soon awake, and how, thanks to a screaming mob of Hermaniacs who had gathered at that charming hour to give them a welcome and a half
Their co-stars, Connie Francis and Harve Presnell, are still singing praises of H's H. Production was a little hectic during those three days, but the boys were having such agood time, no one even thought of complaining. The real high spot of their American visit was the Herman's Hermits concert presented in the Rose Bowl. When the group heard they were to perform in one of the largest and most famous stadiums in the world, they were speechless! All except Herman, who managed something profound like "Gads." Their concert, like their whole visit, was an absolute smash. And if the Hermits paused for a second or two after they went on stage, and looked sort of strange, it was only because they were trying to keep from breaking tip over Herman's offer of "rugby, anyone?" Come to think of it, maybe it isn't twice as much fun being a Hermit as it is having five of them around. We'd say the score is a bit more even than that! They're just as much of a hit with America as America is with them, and we want 'em back in the game soon
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 The Hermits visit to Hollywood sent the press into action. Here they're being interviewed by CBS newsman, Grant Holcomb |
 The Hermits' pre-Rose Bowl press conference was a blast! |