THE LOVELY DAUGHTER OF MRS. BROWN has just the Liverpool touch, apparently, and has skyrocketed this quintet to the dizzy heights of America's Number One group. PETER NOONE (Herman) first joined the group almost by accident. Known then as the HEARTBEATS, the boys were short a singer one evening. Peter happened to be in the audience, sang that night, and is still singing! Many changes have come about, and only KARL GREEN remains of the original association. Others of the HERMITS include 21 year old DEREK LECKENBY, who wants to be a civil engineer, 18 year old BARRY WHITWAM, who joined the group the night they changed their name to HERMAN'S HERMITS. Also shown is 17 year old KEITH HOPWOOD. The Hermits will appear in L.A. this summer.

One day, three young girls from Manchester decided to write to their local musical paper. "We are always hearing about Beatlemania," they complained. "Well, we've got Hermania. What about giving HIM some publicity!?" Tops In England     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 staunchest fans have pioneered their admiration, which they call '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 local 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 its 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). How The Name?     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 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 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. Backgrounds     Herman (real name Peter Noone) is a mere 16 years old and was born in Manchester on November 5th, 1947. He had sung a little at school and although at first just having 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 work on TV. Karl Green (bass guitar) is 17 years old and was born in Salford, Manchester on July 31st, 1947. He worked with a group, the Balmains, before becoming a member of the Heartbeats, predecesor of Herman's Hermits. Varied Beginnings     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 Whitwam (drums) is 18 years old and was born in Manchester on July21st, 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 26th, 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.     The group is very popular now, everywhere.

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