The Dakotas

Members

Robin MacDonald - rhythm guitar, later bass guitar
Bryn Jones - lead guitar
Tony Mansfield (Tony Bookbinder) - drums
Ian Fraser - bass guitar

Ray Jones - bass guitar
Mike Maxfield - lead guitar
Mick Green- lead guitar
Frank Farley - drums

Formed in Manchester.
A mainly instrumental group.
Backed Pete Maclaine from February 1962 to January 1963.
Ray Jones replaced Ian Fraser on bass guitar in 1961/62.
Mike Maxfield joined in February 1962.
Mike Maxfield was previously in The Coasters.
Backed Billy J. Kramer from 1963 and were managed by Brian Epstein at this time.
Ray Jones left in July 1964. Robin MacDonald moved to bass guitar.
Mick Green joined in July 1964.
Mick Green had previously played with Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.
Mike Maxfield left in 1965 to concentrate on songwriting.
For a while The Dakotas played as a trio.
Frank Farley replaced Tony Mansfield on drums in 1966.
When Billy J. Kramer broke the partnership with The Dakotas in September 1967 the band's career went into decline and they disbanded in 1968.
Robin MacDonald, Mick Green and Frank Farley joined Cliff Bennett's backing band.
The Dakotas reformed in the late 1980s with Tony Mansfield, Mike Maxfield, and new members Eddie Mooney on vocals and Toni Baker. Later Mansfield and Maxfield left the group and no original members were left, but the Dakotas carried on using the name.
Mike Maxfield is still involved with the Dakotas behind the scenes

UK Singles

1963 The Cruel Sea/The Millionaire                                                                     Parlophone R 5044
   (Released 5 July 1963. A-side and B-side written by Mike Maxfield. Reached No. 18 in the UK charts.)
1963 Magic Carpet/Humdinger                                                                             Parlophone R 5064
   (Released 27 Sep 1963. A-side written by George Martin. B-side written by Maxfield and MacDonald)
1964 Oyeh/Hallo Josephine (Also called My Girl Josephine on stock copies)     Parlophone R 5203
   (Released October 1964. A-side written by MacDonald, Maxfield, Mansfield, Green)
1967 I'm 'N 'Ardworkin' Barrow Boy/Seven Pounds Of Potatoes                         Page One POF 018
   (Released 10 March 1967. A-side written by Farley and Green. B-side written by Green and MacDonald.)
1968 I Can't Break The News To Myself/The Spider And The Fly                       Philips BF 1645
   (Released 1 March 1968. B-side written by Green and MacDonald.)

Known Gigs

25 Jul 1962 Liverpool, The Cavern, Mathew Street. Supporting The Beatles. With Ian and the Zodiacs, and The Dennisons.
10 Aug 1962 Liverpool, The Royal Iris Ferry. Supporting Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. With The Beatles.