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PASADENA, CALIF.: Hermania-struck fans had crowded the famed Rose Bowl for hours. The performance was to begin at two o'clock, but at one o'clock the gates were opened and the fans were off and running. My friend Sherry, and I went down to the dressing room area and were let through. We scouted around for a while and saw The Turtles, Bobby Fuller 4, The Midnighters, The Great Scots, The Lovin' Spoonful, and The Guilloteens. We also saw some DJ's from radio station KFWB. Then we went into the half-finished press conference. You have no idea how I felt sitting right in front of Herman! I asked him where he was going to start filming their movie "There's No Place Like Space." He said they would be doing it in Beverly Hills. Here are a few of the other questions and answers. Q Is it true that you are a high school dropout? A I'm not a high school dropout. In England, you finish high school earlier than here in America. Q Is there anything between you and Twinkle? A I just went out with her for three days. (He laughs) I'm never going out on a date again! Q Who is your favorite American singer? A Elvis Q When did you start singing? A When I was 14. Q Do you think your age has anything to do with your success? A Yes. I think it has a lot to do with it. Q How do you compare American girls with English girls? A They are all noisy, except there aren't as many young girls in England. Q What do you think of the surfing trend in California? A (After an explanation of surfing) Oh, yeah, we've been surfing in England for two years; it's not new in England. Q Would you like to live in the U.S.? A No, I love my home in England too much. |
Q Has the trend in England gone toward folk music? A Not really. It's more toward Bob Dylan. Q What was your reaction when you were named one of England's Ten Best Dressed Men? A Everyone laughed at me! At the moment I was wearing jeans. Then all my other clothes were stolen. Q What did the other boys think? A Well? (He looked around at the other boys, and they all groaned.) Q I read somewhere that your favorite drink was grammas old brew. What is it? A Well, it's some kind of wine. I drank it one Christmas Q What was it like? A I don't remember too much about that Christmas! Q Has success changed your personality? A A little bit. Q What kind of part do you play in your movie? A Meself, 'erman. When the press conference was completed, Herman and the boys went to get ready for the performance. Sherry and I left and went up to all the screaming girls. Then I saw two more of my friends, Barb and Maria, and I remembered that Barb and I had a small gift for Herman's little sister, Suzanne. So, all four of us went back again and presented the gift at the dressing room door. Herman was very sweet and appreciative. Soon the show began. After the first few acts, Sherry felt sick, so I took her down to the dispensary. It was near the dressing rooms, and we saw Herman and Barry posing for pictures. After the nurse was through helping us, we went back for the rest of the show. Herman was marvelous. About 25 girls tried for the stage, but they were tackled by the police. Two made it. We left early so we saw the Hermits leave in a bus. They left girls screaming, crying, and just plain sick. Was it worth it? I think you know the answer. CANDY CUMMINGS, AGE 15, LA CANADA H.S., LA CANADA, CALIF. |