Dakotas Related News Archive

January 2005 to May 2006

Click here for latest news from June 2006 - February 2007

This page contains the Dakotas news archive, gossip, and snippets, month by month, since January 2005, unti May 2006l. The Dakotas are : Eddie Mooney, Toni Baker, Alan Clare and Pete Hilton.

May 2006

The Dakotas were filmed by Mike Abbott at Tottington in Bury, Lancashire for a possible future DVD release. Click here to download a featured track, a cover of "She's Not There" recorded by the Zombies/Santana (see April Zombies news item). This file (46MB) is also available at the Sleepy Joe website - if you can't play it directly from here, you can alternatively right-click and "Save Target As" to download the file.

Toni Baker was asked to write an article for the May edition of British Academy of Composers & Songwriters "FourFour" magazine.To see the article click here.

Eddie Mooney released a solo version of "Everbody's Got to Learn Sometime", originally recorded by the Korgis in 1980. It is available on the Sleepyjoe.com website.

Shows in May included an appearance with John Leyton, who had a UK No.1 in 1961 with "Johnny Remember Me" and who also appeared alongside Frank Sinatra in the film "Von Ryan's Express".

April 2006

Among the shows in April was an appearance by the Dakotas at the Bike Show South West 2006 at Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Normally associated with rock and heavy metal bands, the Dakotas amended their set to include a live version of Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile" (recorded earlier this year) and tracks by Queen and Bad Company. The show was a big success and one message to the site described guitarist Richard Benson as "a legend"!! Richard also was listed as a famous user by Soldano Guitar Amplification on their website at www.soldano.com (click "user list"), among other greats such as Eric Clapton, Prince, Jimmy Page, Mark Knopfler, Eddie Van Halen and many more. The icing on the cake was that Richard's instrumental version of "Father and Son", from Peter Kay's "Max and Paddy", produced by Toni Baker, went to number one on the Sleepy Joe chart.

This month saw the launch of Toni Baker's own website www.tonibaker.co.uk for TV & Media Music, designed by Anne-Marie of Brand X (see image above). On the 6th April Toni also appeared as a special guest on the "Phil (Wood) & Gail Show on BBC Radio Manchester (see image below).

On April 6th Eddie Mooney appeared with John Walker of the Walker Brothers on stage at the Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent, where they recorded versions of "The Sun Ain't Gonna' Shine" and "Make It Easy On Yourself" for an American TV special on the "British Invasion". Also on the show were the Zombies (pictured left- featuring Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone), Mike D'Abo of the Manfreds, the Troggs, Tremeloes, Peter & Gordon and Mike Pender (Searchers). The programme, part of the "My Music" series, will be aired on US television early in 2007, before being released world-wide on DVD, and reaching UK TV later in that year. Eddie also recorded the Peter Gabriel album track "Here Comes the Flood", available on the Sleepy Joe website.

March 2006

The Dakotas are included on the Internet Movie Database. Click for Toni, Eddie, Pete and Mike Maxfield. They are also mentioned on the on-line encyclopaedia, "Wikipedia".

March saw the release of renowned Manchester musician Carol Jason’s CD “Jazzette” (see sleeve on the right) featuring Pete Hilton on drums. Proceeds go to the Gene Machine Fellowship for leukaemia research and for further details, call Carol on 0161 773 3351 or 07769 698115.

Toni Baker continues to record more incidental music for League of Gentlemen Live DVD out in October and is also a guest on BBC Greater Manchester Radio's Phil Wood Show 10.30pm on April 6th.

Eddie Mooney released a solo version of "Give Me Just A Little More Time", originally recorded by Chairmen of the Board. It reaches number 2 on the Sleepyjoe.com website. Mike Maxfield's "The Cruel Sea" reaches number 1 on the same chart. Eddie is also appearing as one of the Walker Brothers (!) with John Walker in April at the Victoria Hall, Stoke-on-Trent for the filming of an American PBS Television Special.

Gigs in February included a 60s weekend at Brean Sands in Somerset with the New Amen Corner, Hermans Hermits, Tremeloes, Mike Pender's Searchers and the Merseybeats.

February 2006

The new Dakotas Juke Box is available on the website home page, or directly available from here, and you can minimise the Juke Box screen whilst continuing to surf. Many thanks to Anne Marie of the Brand X 60s Website for putting it together.

Eddie Mooney appeared on Spencer Leigh's BBC Radio Merseyside show on 18th February and by coincidence, one of his early new wave solo tracks from 1978, "I Bought Three Eggs" has just appeared on a compilation "White Dopes on Punk", including the Damned and Sham 69.

Gigs in February included a 60s/70s weekend at Sinah Warren Hotel in Hampshire with the New Seekers.

"Voodoo Chile" featuring Richard Benson gets BBC airplay.

 

 

January 2006

The Peter Kay DVD "The Power of Two", featuring the Dakotas (see below), climbs to number 12 on the UK DVD Chart.

Eddie Mooney is scheduled to appear on Spencer Leigh's BBC Radio Merseyside "On the Beat" programme on Saturday 18th February. The broadcast is between 6.30pm and 8.00pm on 95.8FM. Click here for further details.

Gigs in January included shows with PJ Proby, Dave Berry & the Cruisers and Wayne Fontana.

December 2005

The Peter Kay DVD "The Power of Two", featuring music by the Dakotas' Toni Baker, is released and enters the UK DVD Chart at number 33. Meanwhile the audio CD (see November 2005) "The Best of Peter Kay", with contributions by members of the Dakotas, enters the album charts over Christmas.

"Voodoo Chile" by the Dakotas ft. Richard Benson, enters the Sleepyjoe.com mp3 download Top 20.

Gigs in November included shows with the Swinging Blue Jeans and the Fortunes.

 

 

November 2005

Toni Baker is pleased to announce that Nov 21st sees the release at last of "The Best of Peter Kay - So Far" CD - for the Christmas market. Peter Kay put together an album of songs, music, exclusives and classic sketches.It features lots of music written by Toni Baker, from "Phoenix Nights","Max & Paddy" and also Peter's live shows - including "Black Bin Bags", "Send the Buggers Back", "Phoenix Nights" theme, "Amarillo", "Plasma Mission" and,for the first time ever, the full version of "Road to Nowhere". sung by Tony Christie. Volume 2 is scheduled for release next Christmas, including the "Phoenix Nights Theme" Soul Version from The Dakotas. Also, the final music tracks written by Toni, & featuring Richard Benson on Guitar, have now been added to a Max & Paddy DVD out in January - "The Power of Two" Fitness video.

A demo version of the Jimi Hendrix track, "Voodoo Chile" has been released by the Dakotas on this website and Sleepyjoe.com. It features the amazing guitar work of Richard Benson and it is hoped that a another version will be recorded for the next Dakotas album, to tie in with the 2007 UK theatre tour.

Gigs in November included shows with Marmalade, The Troggs, Jess Conrad and the Fourmost.

October 2005

New Dakotas website launched! Toni is putting finishing touches to Christmas CD (includes a couple of tracks by The Dakotas and Eddie as well as Toni Baker solo stuff). Toni has also just finished composing some original music for a new project due out on DVD in January - more about that when it's recorded! October also sees the release of "Max & Paddy's Road to Nowhere" DVD which features all original music by Toni Baker and has a cameo role by the Dakotas as the band playing at an 80s reunion party.

September 2005

Long overdue work begins on the revamped Dakotas website. It should be completed by early October 2005. Toni recorded and composed some music for "League of Gentlemen" Live tour starting in October - (coming to the Appollo in Manchester 17/18/19th October). Pete Hilton finishes work on Carole Jason's jazz album "Jazette", which is due for release in November. A live CD album has been digitally re-mastered featuring the Dakotas and all the acts they have backed on the Solid Silver 60s tours between 2001 and 2004. No response as yet from the tour company about any future release of this album. Dakotas video clip of Queen's "We Will Rock You" reaches number 1 on the Sleepyjoe video chart. The clip features lead vocals and guitar from Richard Benson - his first ever number one!!

August 2005

Problems regarding the 2006 Solid Silver 60s tour. Originally provisionally booked to appear alongside Peter Noone and others, the Dakotas were replaced when Gerry and the Pacemakers got the tour. Then the Dakotas were re-booked, to back Billy J Kramer, who subsequently declined to take part, so the Dakotas were not booked after all. The good news is that the band have been promised the 2007 tour instead. Eddie records the backing track for Jimi Hendrixs' "Voodoo Chile", which will feature new Dakotas member, Richard Benson on guitar. Dakotas drummer Pete Hilton negotiating with contacts in Canada for a trip over there with the band in July 2006. Eddie's punk recordings and clips are released on the DVD "Holidays in the Sun" on Cherry Red Records (see pic on the left).

July 2005

The Dakotas appear at the Graig Aid Festival, Ruthin, Wales on July 8th. John Walker makes a guest appearance. Eddie appears on stage with John and Gary Walker of the Walker Brothers at the Walker Brothers convention. It is held at the White Rock Hotel, Hastings on 16 July.(See pic on the right). Toni started working on possible list of songs to feature on a major CD due out this Christmas.

June 2005

Shows include gigs with Wayne Fontana. Pete Hilton starts work as percussionist and drummer on a new album with jazz singer and bassist Carole Jason. Eddie records his daughter Gemma's debut single, "Band Of Gold" for release on the internet. It reaches number 3 on the Sleepyjoe chart.

May 2005

Toni put together an opening medley for Patrick McGuiness (who plays Paddy in "Road to Nowhere" alongside Peter Kay) and went along to his warm-up show at the Lowry Theatre. Dakotas shows include gigs with Wayne Fontana. The Glitter Band tracks reach number 1 and 2 in the Sleepyjoe Top 20.

April 2005

Toni Baker recorded music for Peter Kay's Live appearance at the Royal Albert Hall - Teenage Cancer Trust charity show organized and hosted by Roger Daltrey. Peter wanted to come on as Brian Potter (he'd never done it live before), so Toni put together a medley for him to sing as Brian - "Wind Beneath My Wheels/ These Boots Weren't Made for Walkin/Walk This Way/Just Like a Pill/You'll Never Roll Alone" - and it went down a storm. The whole of the Albert hall singing along with the last one! Dakotas shows include a gig with the Fortunes at Skegness 60s Festival. Eddie records with original Glitter Band member, John Rossall, producing new versions of "Angel Face" and "Didn't Know I Loved You".

Right: Patrick McGuiness,Tony Christie, Peter Kay & Toni Baker

March 2005

Shows include a gig with Wayne Fontana, the Searchers and Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky , Mick and Tich at Brean Sands, Somerset.

February 2005

"Eleanor Rigby" from the "Strong" CD reaches number 1 and "Hey Jude" (from "Don't Look Back" CD) reaches number 3 on the Amazon "Rock Oldies" chart. "I Got You (I Feel Good)" reaches number 1 on Amazon's "R&B / Funk" chart. "Everlasting Love" still at number 1. Shows include a gig with the Tremeloes at Heywood Civic Hall, Lancashire.

January 2005

"Everlasting Love" from the CD "Everlasting" reaches number 1 on the Amazon "R&B / Motown" and number 2 on the "Britpop" download charts. First show of the year with Wayne Fontana in north Wales. Eddie records "Standing In the Shadows of Love" for release on the internet.