What was the name of Billy J Kramer's backing group in the 1960s?
Billy J. Kramer name Kramer was chosen at random from a telephone directory. John Lennon suggested 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, a combo then backing Pete MacLaine. Even then, the Dakotas would not join Kramer without a recording contract of their
Billy J. Kramer Billy J. Kramer William Howard Ashton, better known by the stage name Billy J. Kramer (born 19 August 1943 in Bootle, Lancashire) is an English pop singer. In the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennon–McCartney compositions. He grew up as the youngest of seven siblings and attended the St George of England Secondary School, Bootle. He then took up an engineering apprenticeship with British Railways and in his spare time played rhythm guitar in a group he had formed himself, before switching to become a vocalist. The performing