ABOUT
Herman's Hermits is a highly acclaimed and veteran English pop rock band with an exuberant beat sound that became famous during the mid and late 1960s as one of the top acts of the British Invasion. Best known in the U.S. for the humorous "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" (1965) and the old-timey, Grammy-nominated "Mrs. Brown, You've Got A Lovely Daughter" (1965), which both topped the charts, their many other signature songs include such classics as the bouncy "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat" (1965), the reflective and melodic "Listen People" (1966), and the romantic ballad, "There's A Kind of Hush" (1967).
Formed in Manchester in 1963, the classic hitmaking lineup consisted of lead guitarist Derek "Lek" Leckenby (May 14, 1943 - June 4, 1994), Keith Hopwood (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Karl Green (bass, backing vocals), Barry Whitwam (drums), and lead singer Peter "Herman" Noone, then only 15 years old and the group's second-youngest member next to Green. They debuted on the charts in 1964 with the Gerry Goffin/Carole King-penned "I'm Into Something Good" (1964), which became a U.K. #1, made the U.S. Top 20, and became a big hit in several other countries. At the peak of their commercial fame, Herman's Hermits toured actively, scored 11 Top 10s in a long string of hits that continued through 1971, and made numerous TV appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show" and other programs.
After Peter Noone left in 1971 to pursue a solo career in the U.S., Herman's Hermits continued to perform and record, with many personnel changes over the years. Noone returned to front the band during a 1973-1974 U.S. multi-artist tour of "British Invasion" acts, after which Whitwam, Leckenby, and Green (who served as lead singer until his 1980 departure) continued to tour with newer members. Hopwood left in 1972, and Leckenby remained with the group until his passing in 1994, leaving Whitwam as the only remaining original member.
Since the 1980s, Noone has continued to perform solo billed as "Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone."
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VIDEO CLIP
Herman's Hermits perform "I'm Henry VIII, I Am" on The Ed Sullivan Show (June 6, 1965).
Available on iTunes and on the following DVDs: Rock n Roll Classics 12 DVD Collection; (more)
SONGS
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Herman's Hermits
- Can't You Hear My Heartbeat 1965
- Dandy 1966
- I'm Henry VIII, I Am 1965
(This song, which topped the charts, is a remake of a 1911 British music hall song of the same title by Harry Champion.) - I'm Into Something Good 1964
(This song also became a hit for Earl-Jean (1964).) - Just A Little Bit Better 1965
- Leaning On The Lamp Post 1966
- Listen People 1966
- Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter 1965
(This old timey song, which topped the charts, features a muted rhythm guitar that sound much like a ukulele.) - A Must To Avoid 1965
- No Milk Today 1967
- Silhouettes 1965
(This song was previously a hit for the Rays (1957), the Diamonds (1957), and Steve Gibson (1957).) - There's A Kind Of Hush 1967
(This song later also became a hit for the Carpenters (1976).) - This Door Swings Both Ways 1966
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