BILLY J. KRAMER (& THE DAKOTAS)

RARE BEAT - GARAGE ROCK AND PSYCHEDELIC
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:

Billy J. Kramer's website
The Dakota's website

Sugar Babe / Da Doo Run Run Great Balls Of Fire / Todo Es Parte De Ti Spain Odeon DSOE 16584 Value: 100 €	Sugar Babe / Twilight Time Tennessee Waltz / Irresistible You UK Parlophone GEP 8928 Value: 45 € BILLY J PLAYS THE STATES	Town Of Tuxley Toy Maker Part 1 Chinese Girl Germany Polydor 59075 Value: 20 €	Trains And Boats And Planes That's The Way I Feel Holland Parlophone R 5285 Value: 50 €
Trains And Boats And Planes That's The Way I Feel Spain Odeon DSOL 66070 Value: 45 €	You Make Me Feel Like Someone Take My Hand Norway Parlophone R 5482 Value: 35 €

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