Editing Billy J. Kramer (section)

==Early life and career==
Kramer grew up as the youngest of seven siblings and attended the St George of England Secondary School, Bootle. He then took up an [[engineering apprentice]]ship with [[British Rail]]ways 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]]. John Lennon suggested that the "J" be added to the name further to distinguish him by adding a "tougher edge".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://triumphpc.com/mersey-beat/a-z/billyjkramer3.shtml |title=Billy J. Kramer – Mersey Beat |publisher=Triumphpc.com |date=19 August 1943 |access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref> Kramer soon came to the attention of [[Brian Epstein]], ever on the look-out for new [[artist|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 (band)|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 [[Beat music|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 record|hit]].