Herman’s Hermits once outsold The Beatles. So, what happened to Britain’s second biggest act of the 1960s?

Herman’s Hermits were one of the biggest British acts of the 1960s, even outselling The Beatles in 1965, but their early success did not last. The article argues that the cheerful, clean-cut pop style that made them stars became less suited to audiences as rock music grew more experimental and introspective.

The band sold 51 million records, scored 20 UK top 40 hits and had 19 songs chart in the US; they were also named Billboard’s top singles act of 1965 and appeared in films. Attempts to adapt, including recording Donovan’s “Museum” in 1967, did not restore their chart momentum, while The Monkees offered a rival pop act. Peter Noone later turned to musical theatre, and the group’s sporadic reunions and his solo performances as Herman’s Hermits did not recreate their peak.