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Artist
Billy J. Kramer
12+ albums
60spopmerseybeatoldiesmale vocalists
about
Billy J. Kramer (born William Howard Ashton, on August 19, 1943, in Bootle, Liverpool, England) was a British Invasion / Merseybeat singer who had a number of hits in the early 1960s as Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas (aka Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas). Kramer is known today primarily as the singer of various Lennon-McCartney compositions that The Beatles did not use. Early career 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'. Billy 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 band, The Coasters, were less keen, so Epstein sought out the services of a Manchester based band, The Dakotas, a well-respected combo then backing Pete MacLaine. Even then, The Dakotas would not join Kramer without a recording deal of their own. Once in place, the deal was set and both acts signed to Parlophone under George Martin. Collectively, they were named Billy J. Kramer with The Dakotas to keep their own identities within the act. Once the Beatles broke through, the way was paved for a tide of "Merseybeat" and Kramer was offered the chance to cover a song first released by the Beatles on their own debut album, Please Please Me. The track had been allegedly turned down by Shane Fenton (later Alvin Stardust) who
top songs
albums
EMI Legends Rock 'n' Roll Seris - The Definitive Collection
The Very Best Of Billy J Kramer
The Best Of The EMI Years
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Golden Legends
The Best of Billy J. Kramer
Do You Want To Know A Secret? (The EMI Recordings 1963-1983)
At Abbey Road 1963-1966
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The Ultimate Sixties Collection
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Best of '60s British Beat, Vol 1
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Pure 60s
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British Invasion Gold
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Very Best of Billy J. Kramer