Record #0029: Little Children / Bad To Me – BILLY J. KRAMER WITH THE DAKOTAS

Imperial 66027 (original) USA, Feb. 1964
Words & Music by:  Side A – J. Leslie McFarland, Mort Shuman; Side B – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Musicians:  Billy J. Kramer (vocals), Mike Maxfield (lead guitar), Ray Jones (bass), Robin McDonald (rhythm guitar), Tony Mansfield (drums)
Recording sessions:  Abbey Road Studios, London, UK, 1963
Highest chart positions:  Side A - US #7, UK #1; Side B – US #9, UK #1

“Bad To Me” was already released in the UK in 1963 as the A side of Parlophone R5049 (with “I Call Your Name” as the flipside). 

“Little Children” was Billy J. Kramer’s first hit single that was not written by Lennon-McCartney (the first three UK hit singles included 5 songs penned by John and Paul!). Both Kramer and the Beatles were managed by Brian Epstein.

In July 1964 Ray Jones left the Dakotas (due to an argument with Epstein), McDonald moved to bass and Mick Green joined the band.

The Beatles never released “Bad To Me”. That’s too bad, because Lennon’s demo (it is basically his song) of it was already quite promising. I think that Kramer’s vocals are a bit too perky for the song. He sounds like he just listened to Freddie & the Dreamers before the session started. :)  I really like the A side, though.

List price:  “Very Good+” is $6 and “Near Mint” is $12