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The Dakotas were formed in Manchester in 1960, where they quickly gained a reputation as one of the most professional groups in the area. They were also one of the earliest of the bands from Manchester to appear at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool.

In 1962, at the suggestion of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Brian Epstein teamed the band up with Billy J Kramer and they were signed up to EMI's Parlophone label. Their first hit was a Lennon/McCartney song, "Do You Want to Know a Secret". It reached No.2 in spring 1963. Other Lennon/McCartney hits quickly followed: "Bad To Me" made the No.1 spot, then "I'll Keep You Satisfied" and "From a Window" both went into the Top 10. "Little Children" gave the band a second No.1 in the spring of 1964. Later that year, both "Bad To me" and "Little Children" reached the American Top 10, prompting the group to visit the USA, playing sell-out shows to frenzied fans of the "British Invasion" sound.

Performing their well known songs including "Do You Want to Know a Secret", "Bad To Me", "I'll Keep You Satisfied", "From a Window", "Little Children", "Cruel Sea", "Trains and Boats and Planes".

The Dakotas are:

• Toni Baker - keyboards/vocals.
• Pete Hilton - drums/percussion.
• Alan Clare - lead guitar/vocals.
• Marius Jones - bass guitar/vocals.
• Ronnie Ravey - lead vocals.