Herman's Hermits, the MGM recording stars from Britain who have a hit disc called "I'm Into Something Good," recently came to the States for a national tour and appearances on several major TV shows. These handsome rock 'n' rollers are "good mates" with that other bombastic group, the Animals, and even share the same manager. Herman's Hermits are Derek Leckenby, Herman, Barry Whitwam, Karl Green and Keith Hopwood.
     Herman's Hermits were discovered by Mickie Most, who's second only to Brian Epstein in bringing forth England's newest and hottest rock 'n' roll talent (including the Animals and the Nashville Teens). Within a mere 9 months they've become one of the best known groups in Northern England and have instituted "Hermania" among a large following of ardent fans.
     Herman, by the way, is a former child actor, much in the style of Shirley Temple. He was featured in films and on stage alike.
     One day, three young girls from Manchester decided to write to their local musical paper. "We're always hearing about Beatlemania," they complained, "well, we've got 'Hermania.' What about giving HIM some publicity!?
     They were talking about a young gentleman by the name of Herman, who, with his group the Hermits (they call themselves simply Herman's Hermits) have become one of the most popular groups in Manchester and the North of England in the space of nine months.
     Their following is a big one. The staunched fans have pioneered their admiration which they call 'Hermania' and the word has spread. White sweaters and waistcoats with inscriptions like 'We Love Herman', 'Hermania' and 'Herman's Hermits' are to be seen in abundance at every concert they do in the North.
     The present line-up has only been together for 3 months. Herman joined them when they were called the Heartbeats. The group was playing at a youth club that Herman frequented one night and were short of a singer. He stepped in and sang and hasn't looked back. The personnel of the group has changed around a bit since it's formation. Karl Green (bass guitar) is the only member of the original group. As people left, Barry Whitwam (drums) was the first to join, then Derek 'Lek' Leckenby (lead & rhythm guitar) and last Keith Hopwood (lead & rhythm guitar).
     The rather unusual name of Herman comes from a cartoon character. In a cartoon show on TV called "The Bullwinkle Show" was a boy called Sherman. The rest of the group were amused at the similarity of the character and their lead singer. Mistaking the name 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 responsible for the hits of the Animals and The Nashville Teens. He travelled to see them at a concert in Bolton, was immediately impressed by their stage show and signed them to a recording contract. He did, however, 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.
     Mickie Most was completely responsible for the choice of material on the debut disc by Herman's Hermits. Title - "I'm Into Something Good."
     Herman (real name, Peter Noone) is a mere 17 years old and was born in Manchester on November 5, 1947. He had sung a little at school and although at first just having drama lessons he combined these with singing lessons when a part he had in one of the TV series "Knight Errant" required him to sing. When he told his father, Dad decided that Peter ought to have singing lessons. He attended the Manchester School of Music for both drama and singing classes. These started at 14, were mainly classical and lasted two years. Peter's ambition at the time was to be an actor and besides "Knight Errant" he appeared in "Coronation Street," had a part in one of the "Saki" programmes, was in two children's plays and appeared in several other TV shows. Peter had always been keen on pop and would often visit a local youth club to listen to a group called the Heartbeats. One night when they were short of a singer, he stood in and consequently joined them. He loves working with the group and has now given up all throughts of going back to acting. "I didn't really like the people very much, anyway." says Herman.
Karl Green, bass guitarist, is 17 years old and was born in Salford, Manchester on July 31st, 1947. Karl had his first guitar at the age of ten. "It was really because everyone else seemed to be getting one at the time," he says. On leaving school, Karl worked as an engraver for a year and then joined a group called The Balmains which his brother managed. When this outfit broke up, Karl gave up playing for a year and then became one of the original members of the Heartbeats.
     Derek Leckenby, lead and rhythm guitarist, is 21 years old and was born in Leeds on May 14, 1943. Derek is nicknamed and always known as "Lek." He moved to Manchester University where he studied Civil Engineering for two years. Lek had owned a guitar for some time and had taught himself to play. One evening, Barry Whitwam came round to his flat while he was studying for his exams. He said that he knew Lek had a guitar and they they were a guitarist short in the group. Lek stood in and later joined up. He carried on with his studies, but unfortunately failed his exams. Lek would like to take up his studies sometime in the future and it is his ambition to earn a degree in Civil Engineering. Lek likes reading, particularly biographies and autobiographies.
     Barry Whitwam, drums, is 18 years old and was born in Manchester on July 21st, 1946. He first started to play when a local group had a vacancy. Two people were after the job, but Barry bought a kit first and was taken on. He had nine months training as a hairdresser and worked for a year in a ladies salon before giving it up for the group. When this group broke up he joined Herman and the Hermits. They changed the name to Herman's Hermits the night he joined. Barry had two years of lessons on the drums but has taught himself a lot. He likes messing around with boats and cars.
     Keith Hopwood, lead and rhythm guitarist, is 18 years old and was born in Manchester on October 26th, 1946. Keith attended grammar school and on leaving worked as a telephone engineer. He bought his first guitar at 14 and joined a local group at 16, playing with them for six months. Just as he was packing this group up he was asked to join the Hermits. Likes records and clothes.
     "I'm Into Something Good" is coupled with "Your Hand In Mine" and is released in America on MGM Records.