Billy J Kramer And The Dakotas:Bad To Me.flv

"Bad to Me" is a song John Lennon wrote (credited to Lennon/McCartney) for Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas while John was on holiday in Spain in 1963. Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas released their recording of the song in 1963 and it became their first #1 UK hit. Paul McCartney was present during the recording session at Abbey Road Studios. The single would be released in the USA the following year, and become a top-ten hit there, reaching number 9. It became the first Lennon/McCartney composition to reach the US Top 40 for an artist other than the Beatles.

Bootlegs exist of Lennon's original demo of the song, which was recorded on 31 May 1963.

Billy J. Kramer (born William Howard Ashton, 19 August 1943, Bootle, Liverpool, England) is a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer. In the 1960s he was managed by Brian Epstein, who also managed The Beatles, and he recorded several original Lennon and 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 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'. 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 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 "Do You Want to Know a Secret?", first released by the Beatles on their own debut album, Please Please Me. The track had been turned down by Shane Fenton (later known as Alvin Stardust) who was looking for a career-reviving hit.

Success came with record producer George Martin, when the Beatles' penned song "Do You Want to Know a Secret?" became a number two UK Singles Chart hit in 1963, and was backed by another tune otherwise unreleased by The Beatles, "I'll Be on My Way".

After this impressive breakthrough, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas enjoyed yet another another hit single:"Bad to Me" c/w "I Call Your Name", with the single reaching #1. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

Billy J Kramer continues to enjoy world wide popularity as a singer, and he tours regularly in both Europe and the United States.