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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.
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.
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 group was brought to the attention of independent record producer Mickie Most - the
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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.
NEWS ITEM
Rock & Roll riots are coming back and it took the British boom to get the kids in a screaming bag. Surprisingly enough, a musically unwild, cool and subteen appealing group called Herman's Hermits is forcing plice superintendants across the nation to call up emergency squads during concerts and issuing edicts of "No more rock & roll shows."
One of the many cities to follow suit was Bridgeport, Conn. On July 23rd the police superintendant declaired that he was amazed by the actions of teenagers during a Hermits' concert and said he will not issue permits again for "entertainment of this type."
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