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NAMES largely unknown to the adult world are rocking television as the industry aims it's sights on America's 22 million teenagers and the $12 billion they spend. Ed Sullivan gave major impetus to the drive for teen-appeal shows when he presented the Beatles for the first time a year ago February. Rating surveys indicated 70 million people watched. The majority were adults, but it was the teenagers in the homes across America who made certain the Sullivan show was tuned in that night. The mortality rate in this hectic branch of show business is the highest in the industry. With few exceptions, today's top attractions may fade into oblivion tomorrow, along with their multi-million selling records. Kids not yet old enough to vote are earning many thousands and thousands of dollars annually. Never before in show business history have so many made so much in so little time. Who are these entertainers? England exports them by the plane-load. About the time that one group is landing at New York's Kennedy Airport another group is boarding a plane at London Airport. The Beatles, of course, were the pioneers, but dozens more have followed. Among the current |
crop on top of the heap (at this hour) are two British outfits, Herman's Hermits and Freddie and The Dreamers. Herman is really Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone, a 17-year-old singer who has to be the wealthiest teenager in his native Manchester. Derek Leckenby is the "old man" of the group. He's 22. The others are 19 year old Barry Whitwam and Keith Hopwood and Karl Green, both 18. Freddie and The Dreamers feature an altogether different style. Led by guitar-playing Freddie, they present a funny kind of slapstick along with their music and have originated a popular stiff-legged dance known as the Freddie. All in their early 20s, the outfit is comprised of Freddie Garrity, Derek Quinn, Roy Crewdson, Peter Birrell and Bernie Dyer. The supply of British exports seems inexhaustible. Among others are Chad and Jeremy, who guest-star on ABC's "Patty Duke Show" this Wednesday. America, however, is turning out its own crop of youngsters with a potent appeal for the teens. Among them are such exponents of the Detroit sound as Marvin Gaye, Martha and The Vandellas, the Supremes and a dozen others. The young people are big business. There's a $12 billion gold mine to be worked. |
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| HERMAN'S HERMITS - Current top favorites in a fast-changing field. In the center is Herman (real name: Peter Blair Denis Bernard Noone). | ||