BILLY J. KRAMER (& THE DAKOTAS)
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The performing name Kramer was chosen at random from a telephone directory. It was John Lennon's suggestion that the "J" be added to the name to further distinguish him by adding a 'tougher edge'. Kramer soon came to the attention of Brian Epstein, ever on the look-out for new talent to add to his expanding roster of local artists. Kramer turned professional but his then backing group, the Coasters, were less keen, so Epstein sought out the services of a Manchester-based group, The Dakotas. Even then, The Dakotas would not join Kramer without a recording contract of their own. Once in place, the deal was set and both acts signed to Parlophone under George Martin. With record producer George Martin, the song "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" was a number two UK Singles Chart hit in 1963, and was backed by another tune otherwise unreleased by The Beatles, "I'll Be on My Way". After this impressive breakthrough another Lennon/McCartney pairing, "Bad to Me" c/w "I Call Your Name", reached number one. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. The three big hits penned by Lennon and McCartney suggested that Kramer would always remain the Beatles' shadow, unless he tried something different. Despite being advised against it, he turned down the offer of another Lennon/McCartney song and insisted on recording the Stateside chart hit "Little Children". It became his second chart topper and biggest hit. The year 1965 saw the end for the beat music boom, and the next Kramer single was "It's Gotta Last Forever", which harked back to a ballad approach, the single missed completely. Kramer's cover of "Trains and Boats and Planes" missed the chart. After releasing "We're Doing Fine", which also missed the charts, the singer and group parted company. Kramer, then living in Rugby, had a solo career over the next ten to fifteen years or so working in cabaret and television with a new band, again from the Manchester area. After which he eventually went to live in the United States. The Dakotas re-formed in the late 1980s and recruited vocalist Eddie Mooney and session musician Toni Baker. They still tour and record. In 2005, Kramer recorded the song "Cow Planet" for Sandra Boynton's children's album, Dog Train. A long term fan of Kramer's, Boynton had sought him out for her project: in 1964, at age 11, she had bought "Little Children" as the first album she owned.
MEMBERS:
Billy J. Kramer - Vocals
Mick Green - Lead Guitar
Mike Maxfield - Guitar
Tony Mansfield replaced by Frank Farley - Drums
Robin MacDonald replaced by Ray Jones - Bass
BEST LINK:
This page is part of www.7inchrecords.com
Billy J. Kramer's website
The Dakota's website
1941
His Love Is Just A Lie
Holland
CBS 3396
Value: 25 €
1941
His Love Is Just A Lie
Norway
CBS 3396
Value: 30 €
A World Without Love
Going Through It
Spain
CBS 3635
Value: 15 €
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Brazil
Odeon
Value: 30 €
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Germany
Columbia C 22587
Value: 100 €
TEST PRESSING
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Norway
Parlophone R 5049
Value: 40 €
ORANGE SLEEVE
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Sweden
Parlophone R 5049
Value: 30 €
GREENISH SLEEVE
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Sweden
Parlophone R 5049
Value: 25 €
ORANGE SLEEVE
Bad To Me
I Call Your Name
Sweden
Parlophone R 5049
Value: 50 €
BLUE SLEEVE
Bad To Me / Do You Want To Know A Secret
The Dakotas: The Cruel Sea / The Millionaire
France
Odeon SOE 3743
Value: 50 €
Bad To Me / Do You Want To Know A Secret
I'll Be On My Way / I Call Your Name
Spain
Odeon DSOE 16556
Value: 180 €
Bad To Me / I Call Your Name
Do You Want To Know A Secret / I'll Be On My Way
New Zealand
Parlophone MGEP 8885
Value: 45 €
Bad To Me / I Call Your Name
Do You Want To Know A Secret / I'll Be On My Way
UK
Parlophone GEP 8885
Value: 30 €
HITS
Dance With Me
It's Gotta Last Forever
Japan
Odeon OR-1248
Value: 100 €
Dance With Me / I Call Your Name
Bad To Me / Little Children
Japan
Odeon OR-4081
Value: 40 €
Do You Want To Know A Secret
I'll Be On My Way
Italy
Parlophone R 5023
Value: 60 €
From A Window
Second To None
Denmark
Parlophone R 5156
Value: 30 €
RED SLEEVE
From A Window
Second To None
Denmark
Parlophone R 5156
Value: 30 €
ORANGE SLEEVE
From A Window
Second To None
Japan
Odeon OR-1160
Value: 30 €
From A Window
Second To None
Norway
Parlophone R 5156
Value: 25 €
From A Window
Second To None
Sweden
Parlophone R 5156
Value: 20 €
From A Window
I'll Be On My Way
USA
Imperial 66051
Value: 30 €
From A Window / Second To None
Dance With Me / Twelfth Of Never
UK
Parlophone GEP 8921
Value: 35 €
Great Balls Of Fire
Trains And Boats And Planes
Japan
Odeon OR-1293
Value: 120 €
I'll Keep You Satisfied
I Know
Norway
Parlophone R 5073
Value: 70 €
I'll Keep You Satisfied
I Know
Sweden
Parlophone R 5073
Value: 35 €
I'll Keep You Satisfied
The Applejacks: Like Dreamers Do
Sweden
Decca FR 13793
Value: 25 €
PROMO
I'll Keep You Satisfied / I Know
Dance With Me / It's Up To You
New Zealand
Parlophone MGEP 8895
Value: 60 €
I'll Keep You Satisfied / I Know
Dance With Me / It's Up To You
UK
Parlophone GEP 8895
Value: 50 €
It's Gotta Last Forever
Don't You Do It No More
Sweden
Parlophone R 5234
Value: 45 €
Little Children
They Remind Me Of You
Norway
Parlophone R 5105
Value: 30 €
Little Children
They Remind Me Of You
Sweden
Odeon SD 5959
Value: 45 €
PINK SLEEVE
Little Children
They Remind Me Of You
Sweden
Odeon SD 5959
Value: 45 €
YELLOW SLEEVE
Little Children
They Remind Me Of You
Sweden
Odeon SD 5959
Value: 30 €
BLUE SLEEVE
Little Children / It's Up To You
I'll Keep You Satisfied / I'll Be On My Way
France
Odeon SOE 3753
Value: 100 €
Little Children / They Remind Me Of You
I'll Keep You Satisfied / I Know
Spain
Odeon DSOE 16595
Value: 250 €
Little Children / They Remind Me Of You
Beautiful Dreamer / I Call Your Name
UK
Parlophone GEP 8907
Value: 30 €
Neon City
I'll Be Doggone
Sweden
Parlophone R 5362
Value: 55 €
Neon City / We're Doing Fine
Forgive Me / I'll Be Doggone
Spain
Odeon DSOE 16695
Value: 90 €
Staying Power
Blue Jean Queen
Germany
BASF 15660
Value: 15 €
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