The Dakotas (band)

The Dakotas was a group of British musicians, which initially convened as a backing band in Manchester, England. They originally backed club singer Pete Maclaine, but after signing to Brian Epstein, he had Maclaine replaced with the singer Billy J. Kramer, a Liverpudlian who the band backed during the 1960s, performing on two UK number ones sung by Kramer. The band also recorded singles by themselves, usually instrumental. In North America, they are regarded as part of the British Invasion.