The Dakotas
Imperial Records (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
Billy J. Kramer & the Dakotas were an English beat group that emerged during the 1960s Merseybeat era. Led by vocalist William Howard Ashton, the band achieved significant commercial success under the management of Brian Epstein. They became known for recording Lennon–McCartney compositions that the Beatles themselves never released, including the 1963 UK number one "Bad to Me." The group reached further chart success with "Little Children" in 1964 and participated in the British Invasion of American pop music. Following the decline of the beat boom, Kramer maintained an active recording and performing career. He published his autobiography, Do You Want to Know a Secret, in 2016.
