Does anybody on this planet remember who played bass for Herman's Hermits? Of course! It was Karl Green, who was 17 years old when the band joined the British Invasion in 1964 after charting with the Gerry Goffin-Carole King song "I'm Into Something Good."
Green never became a household name because he was, after all, a bass player in a band built around leader singer Peter Noone. Green also provided backup vocals and dabbled in song writing for HH, and we feel his contributions should be noted on this, his 63rd birthday.
Herman's Hermits often draw unfair comparisons to the Monkees, who were a different animal indeed. Yes, there was that regrettable song about a former King of England -- some of their hits did seem directed at an audience younger than the band members (Noone was only 15 when they hit.) We're certainly not here to defend "No Milk Today" or "Dandy."
Still, we see no need to kick dirt on them now. They sold more than 60 million records and struck gold with 14 singles and 7 albums. The next time you hear one of their songs at least listen long enough to pick up the bass in the background. Because that's our birthday boy, Karl Green!
Kenny Burrell (1931): Jazz guitarist
Played with Dizzy Gillespie and Oscar PetersonJohn West (1939): Keyboards, Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Count Me In, Sure Gonna Miss Her, Everybody Loves a Clown
Gary Lewis (1945): Singer/band leader
This Diamond Ring, Save Your Heart For Me, She's Just My Style
Bob Welch (1946): Guitar, Fleetwood Mac
Solo: Sentimental Lady
Karl Green (1947): Guitar/harmonica, Herman's Hermits
I’m Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter, Listen People
Bill Berry (1958): Drums, R.E.M.
Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon, Can't Get There From Here
You forget Fatboy Slim. He be forty-seven.
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