Herman's Hermits

If The Rolling Stones were the shaggy rebels, and The Beatles the charming boys next door, then Herman’s Hermits were the British Invasion’s cheeky little brothers. Catapulting out of Manchester in 1964, they became one of the UK’s most successful acts, parlaying their adorable image into a string of popular records, movies, and merchandise. Their biggest smashes—“I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” and “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”—are sugary novelties spotlighting the boyish chirp of Peter Noone. Loaded with charisma, the singer was already a television star by the time Herman’s Hermits started climbing the charts. As the ’60s progressed, the hits kept coming, thanks in no small part to the sonic wizardry of producer Mickie Most. Singles like 1966’s “Dandy,” a Kinks cover, as well as 1967’s psychedelic-scented “Don’t Go Out Into The Rain (You’re Going To Melt)” are clever gems that helped establish the sound of bubblegum pop. With Noone departing for a solo career in 1971, the band changed their name to just The Hermits. They would release a few singles before transitioning to the oldies circuit later in the decade.