When the 1960’s British Invasion hit worldwide, Herman’s Hermits and The Searchers were two of the biggest music groups out of the UK. Their hits were all over the Australian airwaves, ‘Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter’, ‘No Milk Today’ and ‘There’s A Kind Of Hush’ made the Manchester based Herman’s Hermits one of the most popular groups worldwide, while The Searchers were also at the Top of The Pops as they followed their friends The Beatles out of Liverpool with huge hits of their own such as ‘Sweets for my Sweet’, ‘Needles and Pins’ and ‘When You Walk In The Room’.  Both groups became household names in Australia and now for the first time audiences will hear songs of both groups live in one very special concert as Herman’s Hermits are bringing direct from the UK, The Searchers original lead singer / guitar player Mike Pender to join them as special guest for the 2020 edition of The 6 O’Clock Hop.

The concept of the ‘6 O’Clock Hop’ first came to Australia in 2018 and was a smash hit success with over 15000 people attending the tour dates. Promoter Layton Lillas of Showcase Entertainment Group explains ‘Our idea was to put the show on at the more convenient time in the winter months of August and September at 6pm, where audience members can grab an early dinner, come to the theatre and enjoy a 2 hour show packed full of hits and fun, then be safely home at a reasonable time.’

Herman’s Hermits first toured Australia in 1966 on the ‘Caravan of Stars 66’ tour with Tom Jones in support.  Since 1971 and the departure of Peter Noone to pursue a solo career in the music business, the group has never stopped. Original member Barry Whitwam has guided the band from strength to strength into one of the hardest working acts in the business – they still average more than 200 concerts per year. “It’s all about the songs”, Whitwam says, “and we were very lucky to have had a lot of hits in the sixties that people still want to hear today. We’re very lucky!”

Liverpool native Mike Pender is an original founding member of Merseybeat group The Searchers. Much like The Beatles and other Liverpool groups of the time he cut his teeth at The Star Club in Hamburg before landing a record deal with Pye and breaking America after a spot on the Ed Sullivan Show. The Searchers first came to Australia with The Rolling Stones in 1966. Pender is best known as the lead vocalist on many of The Searchers early hits and performed live with the group from their inception till 1985 when he left to pursue a solo career. He continues to tour worldwide performing the songs of the group he founded