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Have you ever wondered how a top-notch pop group spends a typical day? Is it really glamour and no work? We've often wondered about that ourselves, and in order to find out what an ordinary day is actually like, TEEN SCOOP tagged along with Herman's Hermits one day while they were in London. Here, for TEEN SCOOP readers exclusively, is "A Day In The Life of Herman's Hermits." By ordinary standards, the day wasn't to be an especially busy one, but as it turned out the Hermits accomplished quite a bit of work. The first big project of the day was to get them from their homes, in outlying districts of Manchester, to London. There they would have a meeting with officials from their record company and tape a BBC radio show. The only one who didn't have to make the trip was Herman. He was already in London, ensconced in a new luxury hotel owned by his parents. Anyway, at eight a.m., which was early but certainly not very bright, we joined the Hermits - Derek, Karl, Barry and Keith - at Ringway Airport in Manchester. The flight left on time and took around 40 minutes airtime. Upon arriving at London Airport, we quickly grabbed a cab and headed for London proper. It's 15 miles to the city and the morning rush hour traffic was terrible. Arriving late, we met Herman (Peter Noone) at record company headquarters. Before going in, we snapped a quick picture of the boys in the square surrounding the vast building. A meeting in the conference room with record executives took up the rest of the morning. Plans for a new album were discussed, a personal appearance tour in England was decided upon and arrangements were made for the Hermits to play several benefit dates. All in |
all, it was a busy and productive morning. Then we rushed out for lunch at one of those marvelous sandwich places that you find only in England. It was fish 'n' chips around the table, then off to the BBC studios. When we got inside, we found the taping room terribly crowded with musical instruments. The reason, we found out, was that other groups were scheduled to tape in the same studio. After a little sorting out, the Heermits dislodged their instruments and equipment and proceeded to cut six numbers. The taping was hectic - much clowning around during the actual recording, and several takes were needed before an acceptable full program was "in the can" as the technicians put it. It took five long hours of performing to cut a 30 minute show. But when it was over, all the Hermits agreed that the program was a good one. With the working day finished, everyone hustled to get ready for the ride back to the airport. Not even enough time for a British tea break. Rush hour traffic was just starting to get sticky and our driver, knowing that we couldn't miss the plane because it was the last one to Manchester, weaved in and out of traffic like a drunk snake - but we made it. At some point during the year, the group will start work on their next movie. The trip back was quiet, as the boys, weary from an exhausting day, were helped to sleep by the droning motors of the aircraft. So goodnight, Herman's Hermits. Thank you for letting us spend the day with you. But don't invite us tomorrow - we haven't got anywhere near as much energy as you have! |