Frances Kirk of Brighton wrote asking about Herman of The Hermits ... we also had identical letters from the growing legion of Herman fans.
    Herman turned out to be 'everyone's friend' as you'll see from this ever so slightly cracked interview with Fab's Keith who ever since has been gibbering "I got myself into something good."

    I'VE found someone who doesn't want to be a Beatle. He doesn't want their money or their success. This particular nice nut is none other than Herman, or Herman's Hermits. He has some very definite reasons for not wanting to be as famous as the "fringed four."
    "To work at The Beatles' pace would kill me," said Herman. "When you become a really big star you can't lead a normal life. Although I'm no hermit, I don't want to be mobbed every time I walk down the street, or go to a show. Most important of all, I like being able to speak my mind without being afraid that every word will be picked up by the national press and quoted to the world."
    Sixteen years old Herman and his group, The Hermits, had been together only three months before their first big hit, I'm Into Something Good. Herman, however, had already entered show

  business by appearing in bit parts in Coronation Street and Knight Errant on TV.
    "I had a singing part in Knight Errant," smiled Herman. "I sang about three lines of The Holly And The Ivy."
    Success has so far meant very few changed for the group.
    "We do have a new band wagon," grinned Herman, "driven by The Dreaded Finger!"
    "The Dreaded what?" I choked.
    "That's the nickname for our driver, Ray," he explained.
    Herman now lives with his "Gran" in Manchester as his folks live "worlds away" in Prestatyn, North Wales.
    "Gran isn't a fan," said Herman, but added by way of explaination, "I'm her fan!"
    Trying to find out Herman's taste in music proved difficult.
    "What kind of music do you like?"
    "Everything."
    "Any particular artistes?"
    "Everybody."
    I got cagey.
    "You have a record collection?"
    "Yes," replied Herman.
    "Who are the artistes on them" I whipped back.
    Herman took a deep breath. "Jerry Lee Lewis - The Beatles - The Rolling Stones - Little Richard - Fats Domino - Manfred Mann - Freddie and The Dreamers ..."
    "Everyone," I sighed.
    "Everyone," he agreed.
    We finally established that he liked "horror films for laughs," his favourite actors being King Kong and The Beast from 50 fathoms. His favourite actor is Anthony Newley. He also likes Anthony Newley's singing and Anthony Newley's compositions. His ambition is to be an entertainer rather like - guess who?
    Just before I left, I decided to enquire just how their driver, Ray, became known as The Dreaded Finger.
    "It's simple," explained Herman. "We have a game called 'Tacky' (Tag down South) amongst the group and if Ray points his finger at you: you get it (the dreaded finger) badly.
    "But," and he solemnly raised his dreaded finger, "you can prevent yourself getting the dreaded finger by putting your finger on your arm and saying, 'Jekky (short for injection) 1 2 3.' You are then immune."
    NOW WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THAT. PASS THE BLACK COFFEE.

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