We are constantly hearing about Beatlemania but now another chorus has been added and we have "Hermania." What is Hermania?     We are talking about a young gentleman by the name of Herman,who with his group the Hermits have managed to become one of the most popular groups in Manchester and the north of England in the short space of nine months.     Their following is quite a large one and the staunchest of fans have pioneered their admiration which they club Hermania' and the word has spread. White sweaters and waistcoats with inscriptions like 'We Love Herman,' Hermania' and Herman's Hermits' can be seen in abundance.     Herman, whose real name is Peter Noone, is a mere 17 years old and was born in Manchester on November 5. He had sung just a little at school and although at first just having had drama lessons he combined these with singing lessons. He attended the Manchester School of Music for both drama and singing classes when he was 14. He has appeared in several stage plays and has done considerable television work.     The present group has been together only a few months. Herman joined them when they were called the Heartbeats. The group was playing at a youth club that Herman frequented and one night they were short a singer. Herman stepped in and sang and hasn't looked back. The personnel of the group has changed around a bit since its inception.     Karl Green (bass guitar) is the only member of the original group. As people left, Barry Whitman (drum) was the first to join, then Derek 'Lek' Leckenby (lead and rhythm guitar) and last Keith Hopwood (lead and rhythm guitar).     How did the name of Herman come about? There is a cartoon show on television called "The Bullwinkle" Show in which one of the characters is a boy named Sherman. The rest of the group were amused at the similarity of the character and their lead singer. Mistaking the name of Sherman for Herman, they christened him. They chose the Hermits because it fitted the first name. First going out as Herman and the Hermits, it was later shortened to Herman's Hermits.     The group was brought to the attention of independent record producer Mickie Most, the man most responsible for the hits of The Animals and the Nashville Teens. He traveled to see them at a concert in Bolton, was immediately impressed by their stage show and

signed them to a recording contract. He did point out many of their faults and the boys have tremendous confidence in him. In fact, he saw them, signed them, recorded them and got the record released in the space of three weeks.     Herman and the Hermits have interrupted their cross-country tour of the U.S. to make their motion picture debut at MGM in "When The Boys Meet The Girls" a Sam Katzman production starring Connie Francis and Harve Presnell.     Catching up with Herman on the set the first day of shooting we asked him his impression of the United States. ~ think your country is fabulous. of course we have to change our act for American audiences," he answered.     "You put more into it," he went on to explain. "After traveling six hundred miles a day in a coach or on a plane, you're shattered, but they expect a lot more before they only get once chance to see you, then you're gone.     I recall Philadelphia when we were on a bill with the Rolling Stones," Herman smiled. ~ looked out and saw an audience of about 15,000 fans and was terrified. Mick Jagger told me not to worry-that I would be great. Later it was reported that the Stones snubbed me which was quite untrue."     Now for the rest of the Hermits, Herman himself gives us this data: "Karl Green (bass guitar) is 17 years old and was born in Salford, Manchester on July 31, 1947. He worked with a group, the Balmains, before becoming a member of the Heartbeats, predecessor of The Hermits.     "Derek Leckenby (lead and rhythm guitar) is 21 years old and was born in Leeds on May 14th, 1943. Nicknamed Lek he attended Manchester University, where he studied Civil Engineering, a field in which he hopes to enter.     "Barry Whitman (drums) is 18 years old and was born in Manchester on July 21, 1946. After engaging in various non-show biz jobs he joined the Hermits when he found that he had taught himself to play the drums with tremendous success.     "Keith Hopwood (lead and rhythm guitar) is 17 years old and was born in Manchester on October 26, 1946. He bought his first guitar at 14 and joined a local group at 16 before becoming the finishing touch to the newest sensation in the music world.     "And so now you've met us all personally-and before I go, I want to send my love to you all!" Herman smiled as he tucked a finger bash-fully in his mouth and turned to leave.

Herman and his boys are not only great musicians, but they flip as much for the Big Beat as they do for Greig. Herman, real name Peter Noone, is called "High" by a few of his close friends. (Get it? High Noone!)

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