Billy J. Kramer

 

Artist:   Billy J. Kramer

Birth Name:  William Howard Ashton

Born:  August 19, 1943.  Bootle, Lancashire, England

Origin:  Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Genre:  Pop, Merseybeat, British Invasion, AM Pop, Rock

Occupation:  Singer

Instruments:  Vocals

Billy J. Kramer is an English Pop Singer, best-known as one of the most popular Merseybeat Singles and he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennnon-McCartney compositions.   His cover of "Do You Want To Know A Secrete", and followed "Bad To Me", "I'll Keep You Satisfied" and "From A Window", solid hits, one Beatles reject, "I'll Be On My Way", was even relegated to a B-Side (The Beatles' own BBC version was finally released in 1994).  His biggest hit, the Pop Ballad "Little Children", and his backing band The Dakotas recorded some instrumental for "The Cruel Sea" of Mike Maxfield composition and others.

Artist:  Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas

Title:   Live On Air 1965-67  (2021)

Genre:  Pop, Merseybeat, British Invasion, AM Pop, Rock

Label:  London Calling

Rating:   *****

Format:  CD

Tracks:

Disc 1:

1/1/1965:

 1.  Little Children  (3:14)

 2.  From A Window  (1:56)

 3.  Irresistible You  (2:26)

5/2/1965:

 4.  Love's Made A Fool Of You  (2:33)

 5.  When You Ask About Love  (2:06)

 6.  Sneaking Around   (2:31)

5/3/1965:

 7.  It's Gotta Last Forever  (3:15)

 8.  Under The Boardwalk  (2:39)

 9.  Sneakin' Around  (2:43)

9/4/1965:

10. Hello Josephine  (2:02)

11. It's Gotta Last Forever  (3:10)

12. Don't You Do It No More  (2:29)

11/6/1965:

13. Sneakin' Around  (2:37)

14. Train And Boats And Planes  (3:22)

15. My Babe  (2:51)

9/7/1965:

16. Trains And Boats And Planes  (3:45)

17. Love Make A Fool Of You  (2:33)

18. Today's Teardrops  (2:23)

27/8/1965:

19. Let It Be Me  (2:44)

20. Trains And Boats And Planes  (3:28)

21. I'll Be Doggone  (2:54)

Disc 2:

10/12/1965:

 1  Neon City  (4:12)

 2.  We Didn't Ask To Be Brought Here  (2:27)

 3.  Treat Her Right  (2:07)

 

4/3/1966:

 4.  It's All Over Now Baby Blue  (2:48)

 5.  We're Doing Fine  (3:58)

 6.  Treat Her Right  (1:43)

29/4/1966:

 7.  I'll Be Doggone  (2:44)

 8.  Forgive Me  (2:48)

 9.  Living Up A Storm  (1:51)

2/9/1966:

10. Milk Cow Blues  (2:21)

11. You Make Me Feel Like Someone  (4:09)

12. End Of My World  (2:53)

9/12/1966:

13. Bony Moronie  (2:12)

14. If I Were A Carpenter  (2:52)

15. Land Of A Thousand Dances  (2:18)

5/5/1967:

16. Town Of Tuxley Toy Maker Part 1  (2"46)

17. Poor Loser  (2:16)

! = Includes Interview:

Personnel:

Billy J. Kramer:  Vocals

Robin MacDonald:  Guitar, Bass

Ian Fraser:  Bass

Tony Bookbinder aka Mansfield:  Drums

Bryn Jones:  Lead Guitar

Ray Jones:  Bass

Mike Maxfield:  Lead Guitar

Mick Green;  Lead Guitar

Live On Air 1965-67 is the amazing collection of performances, live and in sessions, in London from 1965-1967, includes the entire BBC Broadcasts full colour booklet with background liners and rare images includes interviews by Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas, released on April 22, 2021 by London Calling.