The rock and roll legend, Billy J. Kramer, grew up in Bootle, a Liverpool suburb. Upon leaving school, he became a trainee engineer by day and aspiring singer by night, performing under the stage name Billy Kramer. Billy’s performances at local rock clubs around Liverpool soon brought him to the attention of the one and only John Lennon. John urged Brian Epstein to sign Billy to an exclusive management contract. Billy jumped at the opportunity to become a full-time entertainer.
Soon after, Billy was summoned to Brian’s office to find John there waiting for him with the suggestion that he add the “J” to his name to give it a “rock and roll edge”. From that day forward, Billy has been known as Billy J. Kramer.
In March of 1963, Billy was the first person to have a hit record with a Lennon-McCartney song, “Do You Want To Know A Secret,” which was written specially for him by John and Paul and produced by George Martin at Abbey Road Studios even before The Beatles recorded it.
Billy toured extensively throughout the UK as the opening act for The Beatles both before and during Beatlemania. Billy also headlined tours with such greats as Del Shannon, Gene Pitney, and The Everly Brothers.
Billy’s recordings of the Lennon-McCartney compositions, “Bad To Me” along with “I’ll Keep You Satisfied”, “From A Window”, and “I Call Your Name” all became international million sellers. He also had a smash hit with the Mort Shuman/John Leslie McFarland song, Little Children.
Released as a double sided single, Bad To Me and Little Children have the unique distinction of being the highest entry into the Billboard charts at #8. That accomplishment has never been equalled.
Billy’s appearances on the Ed Sullivan show, Shindig, and Hullaballoo secured his place in rock ‘n roll history. In 1964, Billy performed as part of the legendary T.A.M.I. show along with such artists as James Brown, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes , Smokey Robinson, The Rolling Stones and many others.
To commemorate his 50th anniversary in the music business, Billy recorded and released new material entitled “I Won The Fight”.
Billy recently released his autobiography, “Do You Want To Know A Secret.”
Billy continues to record, perform and promote his Storytellers show to international audiences.
Please stick around at the end of the show for a really fantastic treat. Billy has lent us his brand new Christmas song, “Christmas Kinda Feeling…”
