Herman's Hermits

Herman's Hermits are an English pop rock group formed in 1963 in Manchester and fronted by singer Peter Noone. Known for their jaunty beat sound and Noone's often tongue-in-cheek vocal style, the Hermits charted with numerous transatlantic hits in the UK and in America, where they ranked as one of the most successful acts in the Beatles-led British Invasion. Between March and August 1965 in the United States, the group logged twenty-four consecutive weeks in the Top Ten of Billboards Hot 100 with five singles, including the two number ones "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter" and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am".

Their other international hits in the 1960s include "I'm into Something Good" (their sole UK number one), "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat", the two covers "Silhouettes" and "Wonderful World", "A Must to Avoid", "Listen People", "No Milk Today", "There's a Kind of Hush", "I Can Take or Leave Your Loving", "Something's Happening" and "My Sentimental Friend", all of which were produced by Mickie Most. The band had at least ten Top-10 singles both in Britain and the US. Herman's Hermits also appeared in four films, two of which were vehicles for the band.

History

1963-1964: Formation

Herman's Hermits was formed from two different local bands. Keith Hopwood (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Karl Green (lead guitar, backing vocals), Alan Wrigley (bass), Steve Titterington (drums) and Peter Noone (lead vocals) came from the Heartbeats, where Hopwood had replaced rhythm guitarist Alan Chadwick. The second-youngest member of a young group (four months older than Karl Green who was originally in the Balmains),

In the summer of 1963, Harvey Lisberg discovered the group, then called Herman and the Hermits, playing at The Collingwood Club in Urmston. Lisberg and his friend Charlie Silverman became the group's managers on 5 November, and began booking concert dates. After several failed attempts to book the group at Liverpool's Cavern Club, Lisberg invited the club's DJ Bob Wooler to watch one of the group's performances in Manchester. Wooler was able to persuade the club's owner Ray McFall to book the band at the Cavern. In his 2024 autobiography A Hermit's Tale, Hopwood claimed that Wooler promised the group a couple of tracks in a proposed album called "The Cavern Presents". Although it never came to fruition, Hopwood wrote "it was good to have interest".

The Plaza Ballroom, a popular venue where the band performed every Saturday night, was within close proximity to Granada Television, where music executive Johnnie Hamp and Michael Parkinson produced a nightly magazine show called Scene at 6.30. Lisberg convinced Hamp and Parkinson to come to the Plaza. Arriving at the end of the show, Hamp saw the band perform their version of Nat Kendrick and the Swans' "(Do the) Mashed Potatoes". In the Herman's Hermits iteration, there was an abundance of kicking and leaping. Hamp made it a condition that this song be performed, and the show was piped to the A&R team at EMI. Most recalled "they didn't play so well, but [Noone] had a nice personality and that Kennedy look, which was what I liked." or 22 April Lisberg partnered with Danny Betesh of Kennedy Street Enterprises to help manage Herman's Hermits.

In his autobiography I'm Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman's Hermits & Many More!, Harvey Lisberg stated that Mickie Most "was an absolutely key part of [Herman's Hermits'] success. His ability to pick a hit was uncanny, and once he had chosen a song, he'd book the best arrangers and session musicians and get everything ready. Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, still a few years away from global mega-stardom with Led Zeppelin, were often involved [...] [T]he fact that he used session musicians didn't endear him to the band, but you don't argue with that kind of track record." Most used session musicians on many records he produced, as was industry practice at the time. Hopwood wrote in his autobiography, A Hermit's Tale, "Once we had achieved a level of success that we did, particularly in the US, we hardly spent any time in the UK…This, coupled with the face that in those days singles were released much more regularly than now (seven singles and two albums in 1965) meant that Mickie sometimes prepared the tracks in our absence. We'd fly in for a couple of days, record the vocals, then back on the road we went…In 1965, we played at least 300 days out of 365..I'm also sure there would not have been anything like the coverage there has been of this if Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones had not become half of Led Zeppelin." In the UK, EMI issued "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" as the B-side of the group's third single, a cover of The Rays' "Silhouettes". Herman's Hermits' version of the song charted at number 6 in the UK The album reached number two on the Billboard Top LPs chart. It was not released as a single in Britain, though it did appear as the sole new track on the Columbia EP Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter in June.

In April 1965, Herman's Hermits appeared as one of the musical acts in the Associated British-Pathé film Pop Gear, a showcase of pop music performances hosted by disc jockey Jimmy Savile. The group became the first British band to join the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, a package tour which toured across the United States and ran until June. Peter Noone appeared on the cover of the 21 May 1965 issue of Time Magazine, and was featured in an article titled "Rock N' Roll: Everybody's Turned On". The article described Noone as an "engaging high school dropout who looks like a toy sheepdog," adding that during the previous week was "the man of the moment" with "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter" at #1, "rendered in a heavy Midlands English accent." In June, MGM released the group's second US LP, Herman's Hermits On Tour, which again reached number two on the Billboard Top LPs chart. but was not issued in the UK. "Mrs. Brown" and "Henry" were both included on the group's self-titled first UK album for EMI, released in August, which mostly featured tracks from Herman's Hermits on Tour. It was the only studio album by the group to chart in the UK, where it reached number 16. In the film, the group performed the Graham Gouldman composition "Listen People", and Peter Noone, who played a character named Herman, sang George and Ira Gershwin's "Bidin' My Time". Afterwards, the group continued to tour America. In August, Noone, Hopwood, and Lisberg visited Elvis Presley on the set of his film Paradise, Hawaiian Style. In September, the group began filming their first starring feature for MGM, Hold On!, which was released the following year. The film featured nine songs performed by the group, and one song performed by co-star Shelley Fabares. American songwriters P. F. Sloan and regular collaborator Steve Barri contributed several songs to the film, including the title song (written by Sloan), "Where Were You When I Needed You", and "A Must to Avoid". Sloan recounted, "I had been to see Donovan at the Trip and was introduced to Mickie Most who was producing The Animals and Herman's Hermits. He said Herman's Hermits were doing a movie and did I want to write some songs for it. I borrowed Donovan's dressing room and spare guitar and wrote most of "A Must to Avoid" that night. We recorded it a couple of weeks later [and] I played with them on the session. I remember Keith Hopwood had a beautiful Gibson J200 acoustic put my Harmony Sovereign to shame." EMI released a heavily modified version as the group's second UK album in October, retaining five songs from the US tracklist, while adding "Leaning on a Lamp Post" and "Listen People" among other songs. The group's cover of The Kinks' "Dandy", released in September, charted at number 5 in the US. During the summer of 1967, The Who opened concerts for Herman's Hermits in North America.

thumb|Green, Leckenby, and Noone on the set of [[Hullabaloo (TV series)|Hullabaloo, ]]

The group's sixth US album Blaze continued in a more mature direction, but only reached number 75 on the Billboard Top LPs chart. The album included the group's cover of Donovan's "Museum" and "Don't Go Out Into the Rain (You're Going to Melt)", which reached number 18 in the US.

In May 1969, the group's "My Sentimental Friend" charted at number 2 in the UK.

In regards to the band's US releases, Hopwood wrote, "During 1969, we got the feeling that MGM had definitely taken their eye off the ball with regard to the band. Whether it was because they were more interested in some of their new acquisitions or other management problems or a combination of both, the end result was drastic. The final straw was their placing a full page ad in Billboard for our new single release, only for us to find out that it was advertising the wrong track." Mickie Most delayed any future recordings, some of which had already been big hits in other parts of the world. MGM withheld payments to Herman's Hermits and it was then that litigation ensued. "The end result was a swift conclusion to our American adventures as we were locked in legal battles with MGM and so had no other way to turn on the US." Noone was the only member of the group invited to shake hands with the Queen Mother after the show, which became another source of friction within the group. Using their newly found dance skills, Herman's Hermits headlined at the London Palladium for 3 weeks that November, using the rising stage, and singing classic Noël Coward songs, including "London Pride". Hopwood said that they were travelling on "Peter's road...not really the band's and certainly not mine."

An English language cover of the Italian song "Lady Barbara" became the group's final UK Top 20 hit, charting at number 13. Noone officially left Herman's Hermits on his 24th birthday, when the group "went out to dinner and agreed to call it a day."

After Noone's departure, the group changed their name to Hermits and signed with RCA Victor in the UK. Pete Cowap briefly became the group's new lead singer. Hermits recorded two singles at Strawberry Studios, and an album, Sourmash, produced by Eric Stewart. The album was not released, and none of their singles during this period saw any significant success. Hopwood left Hermits in 1972. The group's 1973 single on CBS, "You Gotta Love Me Baby", was credited to "John Gaughan with the Hermits", after their current lead singer at the time. Noone returned to front Herman's Hermits during a 1973 U.S. multi-artist tour of "British Invasion" acts, after which Whitwam, Leckenby, and Green (who assumed lead vocal duties until his 1980 retirement) continued to tour with newer members, including Rod Gerrard (formerly with Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders and Salford Jets). In 1975, the group, now called "The Hermits<nowiki></nowiki>, attempted a comeback with "Ginny Go Softly" for the Private Stock label. It was released under the Herman's Hermits name in the US, but failed to chart, as did subsequent one-off singles for Buddah and Roulette.

1980s-present: Later years

Karl Green left the band in 1980 to spend more time with his family. He later opened a plumbing and tiling business in London. In 1986, a group billed as "The Hermits", a touring incarnation by original members Whitwam and Leckenby, opened for the Hep Stars and the Monkees on their 1980s reunion tours of the US.

Hopwood has since become a composer of scores for film and television. Green has become a manager of sound systems for concert venues along London's South Bank.

thumb|Herman's Hermits during their 50-year anniversary tour in April 2014. From left to right: Paul Cornwell, Barry Whitwam, Geoff Foot, Kevin Lingard

Leckenby died of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1994, leaving Whitwam as the only original member of the band. Noone continues to play solo shows billed as "Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone".

On 8 June 1997, Hopwood, Green, and Whitwam reunited to play a one-off reunion concert with Noone.

left|thumb|Herman's Hermits starring [[Peter Noone in 2006]]

The Sourmash album from 1972 was released by Pluto in 2000 under the title A Whale of a Tale! And Others.

Scottish-born keyboardist Robert Birrell joined in May 2002. He was diagnosed with cancer a few years into being a Hermit, and Kevan Lingard was added in on keys in 2005 to fill in for dates Birrell couldn't attend. Robert eventually left in September 2006 and later died on 18 October 2008.

Paul Cornwell (guitarist from 2013 to 2019) was added into Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich in January 2015 on bass as "Dozy II" following the death of original Dozy Trevor Ward-Davies.

In 2019, Noone won the "Entertainer of the Year" award at the Casino Entertainment Awards, held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, beating out nominees Barry Manilow and Dwight Yoakam. In 2023, Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone were scheduled to perform in over 100 concerts in countries such as the US, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and France. Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone performed 112 concerts in 2024, and in 2025 118 concerts.

Geoff Foot, who, with the exception of Whitwam, was the longest serving member, left the Hermits after playing his last gig with them at a Butlin's on Saturday, 14 January 2023. Foot was replaced by John Summerton.

Also, in 2023, Tony Hancox left the band after six years. He was replaced by Tony Young of Gerry's Pacemakers. Hancox's last performance with the Hermits was at the Leeds Grand Theatre on 29 October 2023, when they were touring in the "Sixties Gold" nostalgia tour. In turn, Hancox filled Young's place in Gerry's Pacemakers.

As of April 2024, the current lineup of Herman's Hermits is: Barry Whitwam (drummer since 1964), Jamie Thurston (formerly of the Tornados starring Dave Watts; bassist and lead vocalist since 2020), John Summerton (formerly of Flintlock; guitarist since January 2023), and Tony Young (formerly of Gerry and the Pacemakers; keyboardist since October 2023).

On 25 April 2026, Peter Noone and Keith Hopwood appeared together at the Chiller Theatre Toy, Model and Film Expo in Parsippany NJ to introduce the release of their CD “Remember When”, written by Hopwood and produced by Keith Hopwood and son Daniel Hopwood, released on Pluto.

Legacy

In the UK, Herman's Hermits collected ten top 10 singles between 1964 and 1970, and eighteen top 20 singles overall.

Disputes over recording contributions

Conflicting information exists regarding the extent of Herman's Hermits' use of session musicians in their songs. In 1982, Mickie Most stated, "On some of the Herman records, I also used session musicians, although not always - if the songs needed arrangements, then I'd have session players, and very good ones at that." The group played on all their UK and US No. 1 hits ("I'm Into Something Good", "Mrs Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter", and "I'm Henry VIII, I Am"), on most of their US Top Ten singles, on several other singles and most album cuts. According to Peter Noone, Derek Leckenby played the muted lead on "This Door Swings Both Ways" and the guitar solo on "I'm Henry the VIIIth, I Am". In a 1972 interview, Noone claimed Keith Hopwood played rhythm guitar on "Mrs. Brown". Noone said as time went on, "Mickie used The Hermits less and less. He and I discovered the process was faster, if not as much fun. We stupidly left The Hermits out of all the decisions, causing them to hate us and, I think, rightfully so."

The riff in "Silhouettes" has been variously credited to Jimmy Page, Big Jim Sullivan and Vic Flick; however, according to Keith Hopwood and Karl Green, Leckenby replaced Flick in the studio and played the signature riff under Most's direction.

These legal disputes over the Herman's Hermits band name have highlighted broader issues surrounding trademark ownership and the control of band identities. In 2004 in Australia, Whitwam successfully registered ownership of the band name, restricting its use by other former members. Legal commentators noted that the case raised wider concerns about the registration of intellectual property rights without the knowledge or consent of collaborators. The dispute has been compared to other band-name controversies, including litigation involving Glen Shorrock and the Original Little River Band, as well as a 2007 disagreement within The Angels concerning use of that group's name. Four years after Noone left the group to pursue a solo career, Leckenby, Green, and Whitwam initiated legal proceedings in the High Court of England seeking to prevent Noone from using the word "Hermits." The case was settled, with Noone agreeing not to use the term, while the remaining members continued performing under the name Herman's Hermits. Whitwam later toured in Europe under the name Herman's Hermits Starring Barry Whitwam and successfully registered the band name in the United Kingdom and Europe. Ownership of the name in the United States remained with other former members. After Whitwam applied to register the name in Australia, other band members said that shared use was necessary to allow them to enter contracts and receive royalties and performance-related income, however, in a decision issued by hearing officer Jock McDonagh, it was determined that the earlier UK settlement permitted any of Green, Leckenby, or Whitwam to continue performing under the Herman's Hermits name. Following Leckenby's death, Whitwam was the only surviving member actively performing under that name, and the hearing officer concluded that exclusive registration was therefore unlikely to cause public deception.

While Noone maintains a relationship with most of the original band members, he has acknowledged a strained dynamic with drummer Barry Whitwam over the ownership of the group's name. Noone noted that other band members shared this frustration after Whitwam assumed control of the Herman's Hermits trademark, which Noone believes should have been a collective asset. Despite this, Noone remains in contact with rhythm guitarist Keith Hopwood, with whom he continues to manage the band's business affairs, including recording contracts and publishing rights.

Band members

;Current members

Barry Whitwam – drums (1963–present)
Jamie Thurston – bass, lead and backing vocals (2020–present)
John Summerton – guitar, lead and backing vocals (2023–present)
Tony Young – keyboards, lead and backing vocals (2023–present)

;Former members

Derek Leckenby – lead guitar (1963–1994; died 1994)
Karl Green – bass, vocals (1963–1980; one-off in 1997)
Keith Hopwood – rhythm guitar, vocals (1963–1972; one-off in 1997)
Peter Noone – lead vocals (1963–1971, 1973; one-off in 1997)
Pete Cowap – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1971–1972; died 1997)
John Gaughan – rhythm guitar, vocals (1972–1975)
Chris Finley (born 1948 in Liverpool, died February 2016) – keyboards, vocals (1973–1974)
Lance Dixon – keyboards, vocals (1974)
Frank Renshaw (born 22 June 1943 in Wythenshawe) – rhythm guitar, vocals (1975–1982)
Paul Farnell – bass, vocals (1980–1988)
Garth Elliott – rhythm guitar, vocals (1982–1986)
Rod Gerrard – rhythm guitar, vocals (1986–1995)
Geoff Foot – lead and backing vocals (1988–2023), bass (1988–2020), guitar (2020–2023)
Alec Johnson (born 3 April 1953 in Northwich) – lead guitar (1994–2002)
Geoff Kerry (born 28 August 1949 in Salford) – rhythm guitar, vocals (1995–2001)
Graham Lee (born 1943 in Manchester) – rhythm guitar, vocals (2001–2004), lead guitar (2002–2004)
Robert Birrell (born 25 November 1948, died 18 October 2008) – keyboards, vocals (2002–2006) (not touring 2005–2006)
Eddy Carter (born 17 April 1957 in Manchester) – lead guitar, vocals (2004–2013)
Kevan Lingard (born 28 October 1958 in Accrington) – keyboards, vocals (2005–2016)
Simon Van Downham – rhythm guitar, vocals (2010–2011)
Paul Cornwell – lead guitar, vocals (2013–2019)
Justin LaBarge – rhythm guitar, vocals (2015–2019)
Paul Robinson (born 1 December 1964) – keyboards, vocals (2016)
Duncan Keith – guitar, vocals (2019)
Ray Frost (born in Essex) – guitar, vocals (2019–2020)
Tony Hancox (born 25 March 1972) – keyboards, vocals (2017–2023)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Herman's Hermits (1965, US/UK)
Herman's Hermits on Tour (1965, US)
Hold On! (1966, US)
Both Sides of Herman's Hermits (1966, US/UK)
There's a Kind of Hush All Over the World (1967, US/UK)
Blaze (1967, US)
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (1968, US/UK)
A Whale of a Tale! And Others (2000, UK) (as Sourmash - a.k.a. Herman's Hermits)

Filmography

When the Boys Meet the Girls (1965)
Hold On! (1966)
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter (1968)

Other film and television appearances

Pop Gear (1965)
Herman's Hermits Hilton Show (1966)
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution (1967)
In Concert: With Herman's Hermits (1968)

Notes

References

Sources

External links

Official Herman's Hermits site – Peter Noone version
Official Herman's Hermits site – Barry Whitwam version
Pluto Music – Keith Hopwood's studio
Peter Noone official website
Karl Green's official website
Herman's Hermits at Harvey Lisberg