Vassallo: Reflecting Back on Herman’s Hermits

Image courtesy of Herman’s Hermits Facebook Page

It’s hard to believe that this group is still performing and this fall will be appearing in Biloxi. In the summer of 1965 (prior to enrolling at Ole Miss), I was walking into Woolworth’s on Church Street in downtown Nashville when I stumbled upon five guys examining cameras. The five-some included Peter Noone, Barry Whitwam Keith Hopwood, Karl Green and Derek Leckenby…better known as Herman’s Hermits.

The English pop band had formed a year earlier in Manchester and was now an integral part of the British Invasion. They were originally named Herman & The Hermits. Their first hit, “I’m into Something Good” reached #1 in the UK singles chart. Two of the group’s top US hits were “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter” and “I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am”. They recorded on MGM label in the states.

Other blockbuster hits included “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat”; “Silhouettes”; “Wonderful World” (a Sam Cooke classic); “Just A Little Bit Better”; “A Must to Avoid”; “Leaning on a Lamp Post”; and the Ray Davies song “Dandy.” Davies was the lead singer and famed songwriter of The Kinks.

In 1965 the Hermits rivaled The Beatles in the US and were the “top-selling pop act”in the states that year although were not nearly as successful versus the Fab Four in England. Herman’s Hermits first UK top ten hit was “No Milk Today.” Ironically, this hit was voted several years ago by the British as their most popular song of the British Invasion era. MGM placed “There’s A Kind of Hush” on the B side of Milk, which ultimately became the hit side as American audiences preferred the style.

The music of the 1960’s was second to none comparing this decade to others, both prior and afterwards. The British groups of that time in history led by The Beatles also featured The Rolling Stones; Dave Clark Five; The Yardbirds; and Zombies just to mention a few. American groups were also excelling with such greats as The Beach Boys among countless others. Every time I hear a song on the radio or over a restaurant
speaker from Herman’s Hermits, I reflect back momentarily to that chance encounter in the summer of 1965 in downtown Nashville. Teenage years were most enjoyable and even more so when great music was factored in featuring Mrs. Brown’s daughter!

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.

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