May 1965 Hy Lit books Mick Jagger & The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits and a half dozen other groups for a major stage show in Philadelphia. Toward the end of the show, (in this picture on right), Mick Jagger & Keith Richards inform Hy that if they don't close the show... and perform after Herman's Hermits they will not perform at all.

Moments earlier Herman's Hermits gave Hy the same ultimatum. Frank Rizzo the Chief of Police at the time was also backstage. Frank immediately placed managers of both groups under arrest on a disorderly charge for attempting to incite a riot, and after assuring them they would all be spending the next few days in Philadelphia, the feud between the two groups was quickly settled.

After a coin toss, Herman's Hermits played second to last and Mick & the gang closed the show.

° In a follow up we heard this from Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits) regarding the Hy Lit Rolling Stones, Hermans Hermits Philadelphia story.

I don't recall the whole evening, but I know we knew that PHILADELPHIA had a CURFEW then, and at least 70% of the crowd would leave at a certain time, which was about 10 minutes into our set or the Stones set. So we conveniently didn't mention it and a coin toss is so un-English.

We were not being mean-spirited as we all loved the Stones (especially Brian and Charlie), but we all thought it was a HOOT and it is still fondly remembered as one of those fun nights when we got one over on the Stones to repay them for a ride they gave me from Birmingham to London in their big Blue Chevrolet, which was driven by a lunatic called Reg King, who smashed wing mirrors of all the cars we passed on the 100 mile an hour drive at 100 mph.

That night in Philly has been written about so many times, but I think if you check with the cops in Philly, you will find there was a curfew that year and I stood at the side of the stage with Andew Loog Oldham (The Rolling Stones manager) to watch Mick's face as the crowd left during their 5th song.

Fun night!

Ask Charlie Watts ... he remembers everything. Like me!!!
-- Peter Noone

http://www.peternoone.com/

Thanks Ken Kotal kk@forgottenhits.com

(Left Picture) Hy Lit & Peter Noone
(Center & Right Picture) Hy Lit Herman's Hermits (Group)

This from Steve Ross (1210/WPHT AM Radio)

Great story, Sam! In fact, I read it and discussed it on last night's Remember When! And, as absurd as it may seem now - Herman's Hermit's closing a show with The Stones on it - wasn't entirely nuts. At least not in May of 1965, anyway. At that time, Herman's Hermit's were huge and had a slew of hits and were - in record sales, anyway -comparable to The Stones. Go figya. Good stuff!

*Listen to the Steve Ross 'Remember when show' Saturday Night 11pm -1am on 1210/WPHT Philadelphia


This from Jeane Feldman Coren

Sam: I was at that concert. I was in the front row and Mick Jagger took off his coat, folded it and was handing it to me. And Mike Smith of The Dave Clark Five (also performing that night) asked for my number and we chased him through the halls! I have really nice memories. Your dad spoke at our Synagogue. He was the best.
-Jeanne