by Bruce EderHermans Hermits were one of those odd 1960s groups that accumulated millions of fans, but precious little respect. Indeed, their status is remarkably similar to that of the Monkees and its not a coincidence that both groups music was intended to appeal to younger teenagers. The difference is that as early as 1976, the Monkees began to be considered cool by people who really knew music; it has taken 35 years for Hermans Hermits to begin receiving higher regard for their work. Of course, that lack of respect had no relevance to their success: 20 singles lofted into the Top 40 in England and America between 1964 and 1970, 16 of them in the Top 20, and most of those Top Ten as well. Artistically, they were rated far lower than the Hollies, the Searchers, or Gerry & the Pacemakers, but commercially, the Hermits were only a couple of rungs below the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.The magnitude of their success seemed highly improba...