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Herman's Hermits-five of the fab best fellas in Discdom - and they kissed ME ... ordinary Cindy Friedrich from West Milton, Ohio. Maybe it's hard to believe my luck. But it's true. I spent five of the wildest, zaniest days of my life living in the same hotel as Herman's hot group while they were in New York. I'm president of the National Jean-Paul Vignon Fan Club and I was invited to New York to see him appear as guest on the Ed Sullivan Show. Three days before the show, I arrived at the New York Hotel with my mother, expecting to be just an ordinary tourist until I saw the show. How wrong I was! When we arrived at the hotel it was surrounded by thousands of teenage girls chanting "We want Herman... We want Herman." |
 With Barry at the hotel pool. Wow?just seethat manly chest proudly exposed. |
 My first meeting with Karl (left) and Barry outside my room at the New York hotel where it all happened to me - the thrill of my life... |
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 Outside the hotel, Herman gladly signs his autograph for one of the fans who waited nearly twelve hours to see him, but got her reward |
 Took this shot of Barry beside the hotel pool. He refused to smile till I clicked the shutter. |
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I couldn't believe my luck. Next to Jean-Paul, I think Herman is the most swinging guy around. We went into the elevator and I heard British accents. It was Lek, Karl, Barry and Keith. But no sign of Herman. Then, on a landing I saw Herman. Crowds of girls had spotted the Hermits and they set off in pursuit. But Herman remained hidden. I was speechless. I was alone with Herman and I managed to gabble out who I was and ask him to be an honorary member of the club. "Thanks luv," he said. "I'd be glad to join. Jean - Paul's one of the greatest guys around. I'm looking forward to seeing him on the Ed Sullivan Show." For some reason, I tripped at that point and found myself in Herman's arms. He smiled and said: "See you later, honey." Then he rushed off, leaving me breathless with excitement. But in my confusion, I had forgotten to ask for his autograph. Again I set off in pursuit and dashed into an elevator. "Hi," said a friendly voice, and I turned to see that the "elevator boy" was... Herman. He'd been having a ball riding the elevator, pressing all the buttons and causing it to stop on every floor. On one floor, girls were pushed into the elevator by police officers and they screamed hysterically when they realized that the operator was Herman. Herman was obviously embarrassed by all the hugging and kissing. Blushing, he said; "Stop it now. Please.. please cut it out." But he was unable to reach his room until the police cleared a path through the masses of people. Several girls, determined to see him, had brought packed lunches and were camped outside his room door. Somehow he managed to get in. Returning to my room, I found Barry surrounded by screaming girls. Policemen were trying to pack them into a down-elevator and one grabbed me. Said Barry: "Hold on officer! She lives here. Don't put her out." On impulse, I kissed him then ran to my room.. blushing. Later, from my room window, I saw Karl and Barry sunning themselves beside the pool. I joined them and they allowed me to take a few pictures. We sat and chatted about all sorts of things. Suddenly, Herman ran past hotly pursued by about twenty girls. He dashed into the men's changing rooms shouting: "Now girls please. You can't come in here." But they did and had to be escorted from the hotel. When Herman came out, he made a superb dive into the pool and I saw that he was just like any other teenage boy. He ducked every girl in sight, grabbed their bathing caps, splashed spectators and gave piggy-back rides to several wide-eyed, little boys. |
 My favorite picture. Lucky me and you-know-who I still couldn't believe it! |
 That big doll sitting with me is Keith - what a memory book... |
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Everywhere Herman went, someone wanted his famous autograph, and he always obliged. |
At the hotel, Lek dresses for another concert |
Keith relaxes and writes home to his parents in
England, telling them of his teen triumphs.
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Next day, the boys had their rooms changed to confuse some of the more persistent fans. I still hadn't met Keith or Lek and was just about to question a maid when I noticed Lek through an open door. He invited me and two girls in for autographs and pictures and was very sweet. A few minutes later, we met Barry and Karl on their way back to the pool. Said Barry: "Hi. Did you bring your bathing suit?" I had, so we all went along to the pool where Herman was already trying to get some sun. On the Monday-just a few hours before they were due to leave for good - the fellas asked me to join them for a final swim. We said goodbye and I couldn't keep back the tears. Barry leaned down and kissed me. Someone grabbed my arm, turned me a-round and kissed me on the cheek. It was Herman! Next in Line were Keith, Lek and Karl, when he appeared. It was like a great, unbelievable dream. Then they got into the car, waved and drove off. Tears were streaming down my cheeks and I suddenly felt very lost and alone. Back in my room, I prepared for a long, long cry. Then the telephone rang. It was Jean-Paul inviting me to dinner. The tears became smiles. |