During
the 70's Billy J Kramer turned to cabaret and it was not until a chance meeting
that the Dakotas were reborn in 1989. Original drummer Tony Bookbinder (Mansfield)
returned from a lengthy spell in Canada and was introduced by mutual friend
and former member of Freddie & Dreamers, Bernie Dwyer, to Manchester musician
Eddie Mooney. Eddie had been in various 70s bands including Park Avenue and
a later line-up of the Glitter Band, as well as releasing solo records on the
TJM label. Tony Bookbinder joined Eddie's band Park Avenue from 1985 until 1987.
They discussed the possibility of reforming the Dakotas as early as 1986, rehearsing
with original guitarist Robin MacDonald but this project never got off the ground.
By the late 80s, it was decided to get the Dakotas back on the road, in order
to join the increasingly popular revival of 60s music. After a series of rehearsals
and early trial shows, the line-up settled. Mike Maxfield had, since leaving
the Dakotas in 1966, been a session musician and very successful producing incidental
music for TV. After a gap of 23 years, he was tempted back to the fold, rejoining
as guitarist.To complete the line-up, keyboard player Pete MacDonald was added.
Pete had been a member of the Iveys, who eventually became 70s stars Badfinger.
This was the first time the Dakotas had recruited a regular keyboard player,
in order to reproduce a more sophisticated live sound.
The
first new studio album since the 60s "The Dakotas -Volume 1" was released
to critical acclaim in August 1991, including a contemporary orchestrated version
of the 1963 hit single, "The Cruel Sea".
In April 1992 the Dakotas did a three week tour of Sweden with fellow Manchester
act, Herman's Hermits. Between
1992 and 1994 the band appeared all over the UK, as well as regular trips to
Germany. However, the rigours of touring were taking their toll on Pete MacDonald
and following a health scare before a show in Lubeck, Germany, he was replaced
in 1994 by session keyboard player and record producer Toni Baker. Toni
had been keyboard player with Shabby Tiger, who had great singles success in
Holland, Denmark and Germany, though surprisingly not in the UK. Their biggest
hit "Slow Down" charted over much of europe, reaching number 1 in
Holland. This hit was produced by Ben Findon, who also produced hits for Billy
Ocean and the Dooleys (whose name features much later in this story). In fact,
it is Toni playing the famous keyboard intro to Billy Ocean's massive hit "Love
Really Hurts Without You".
During
1994 and into 1995 the band toured Britain, Germany and Ireland and appeared
with all the major 60's and 70's acts, such as Herman's Hermits, the Searchers,
the Merseybeats, Wayne Fontana, the Animals, the Yardbirds and many others.
The next Dakotas album "The Beat Goes On", a mix of live and studio
recordings was released in September 1995. It featured the single, "Your
Love Made a Man Out of Me", which was showcased on RTE Irish national television
during a tour of Ireland. Also
in 1995, the Dakotas appeared with The Animals, Yardbirds and Denny Laine (ex
Wings) on the UK "Rock Roots '95 British Tour"
Left:
Toni Baker at soundcheck in the USA 1998 Right:The Dakotas on stage with Billy
J Kramer USA1998
Click
below for a clip of the Dakotas on Irish TV "Live At Three" February
1996, perfoming UK and US hit "Bad To Me".
In
1996, the Dakotas rejoined Billy J Kramer, after almost thirty years, to appear
at the prestigious Chelmsford Festival in Britain, in front of 40,000 people.
In the summer of 1998, the band appeared in America for the first time since
the 60's. The Dakotas were approached to appear in Fayetteville, North Carolina,
doing arena shows with Billy J Kramer, and US acts Brenda Holloway, Ronnie Dove,
The Five Americans, Frankie Ford, Shadows of Knight, Randy and the Rainbows
and Johnny Thunder. This trip, including many interviews, was captured on a
series of BBC Radio broadcasts.
In
the spring of 1999, the Dakotas again teamed up with Billy J Kramer for the
first of several "Solid Silver 60s" theatre package tours, comprising
over 50 dates at major venues in the UK. Soon after this tour the band returned
to the USA for a festival at Topsail Island in North Carolina. By this time,
drummer Tony Bookbinder had decided to leave the band to concentrate on his
business imterests. Replacing him on the eve of the US visit was Pete Hilton,
formerley drummer with another 60s chart act, Freddie and the Dreamers. During
the summer of 1999 the Dakotas made a third trip to America, appearing at the
Trask Colliseum arena in Wilmington, on a bill including Motown stars the Miracles.
Whilst in the 'states the band made an impromptu live performance on US television.
The Dakotas saw out the 20th century with dates in the UK.
Left:
The Dakotas, North Carolina, USA, spring 1999
During
the 70's Billy J Kramer turned to cabaret and it was not until a chance meeting
that the Dakotas were reborn in 1989. Original drummer Tony Bookbinder (Mansfield)
returned from a lengthy spell in Canada and was introduced by mutual friend
and former member of Freddie & Dreamers, Bernie Dwyer, to Manchester musician
Eddie Mooney. Eddie had been in various 70s bands including Park Avenue and
a later line-up of the Glitter Band, as well as releasing solo records on the
TJM label. Tony Bookbinder joined Eddie's band Park Avenue from 1985 until 1987.
They discussed the possibility of reforming the Dakotas as early as 1986, rehearsing
with original guitarist Robin MacDonald but this project never got off the ground.
By the late 80s, it was decided to get the Dakotas back on the road, in order
to join the increasingly popular revival of 60s music. After a series of rehearsals
and early trial shows, the line-up settled. Mike Maxfield had, since leaving
the Dakotas in 1966, been a session musician and very successful producing incidental
music for TV. After a gap of 23 years, he was tempted back to the fold, rejoining
as guitarist.To complete the line-up, keyboard player Pete MacDonald was added.
Pete had been a member of the Iveys, who eventually became 70s stars Badfinger.
This was the first time the Dakotas had recruited a regular keyboard player,
in order to reproduce a more sophisticated live sound. 
Between
1992 and 1994 the band appeared all over the UK, as well as regular trips to
Germany. However, the rigours of touring were taking their toll on Pete MacDonald
and following a health scare before a show in Lubeck, Germany, he was replaced
in 1994 by session keyboard player and record producer Toni Baker. 
Toni
had been keyboard player with Shabby Tiger, who had great singles success in
Holland, Denmark and Germany, though surprisingly not in the UK. Their biggest
hit "Slow Down" charted over much of europe, reaching number 1 in
Holland. This hit was produced by Ben Findon, who also produced hits for Billy
Ocean and the Dooleys (whose name features much later in this story). In fact,
it is Toni playing the famous keyboard intro to Billy Ocean's massive hit "Love
Really Hurts Without You". 
In
the spring of 1999, the Dakotas again teamed up with Billy J Kramer for the
first of several "Solid Silver 60s" theatre package tours, comprising
over 50 dates at major venues in the UK. Soon after this tour the band returned
to the USA for a festival at Topsail Island in North Carolina. By this time,
drummer Tony Bookbinder had decided to leave the band to concentrate on his
business imterests. Replacing him on the eve of the US visit was Pete Hilton,
formerley drummer with another 60s chart act, Freddie and the Dreamers. During
the summer of 1999 the Dakotas made a third trip to America, appearing at the
Trask Colliseum arena in Wilmington, on a bill including Motown stars the Miracles.
Whilst in the 'states the band made an impromptu live performance on US television.
The Dakotas saw out the 20th century with dates in the UK.
