Billy J. Kramer, born William Howard Ashton on August 19, 1943, in Bootle, Lancashire, England, is a renowned English pop singer associated with the Merseybeat and British rock and roll genres. He rose to fame in the early 1960s as part of the British Invasion, performing with The Dakotas under the management of Brian Epstein. Kramer is particularly noted for his interpretations of Lennon-McCartney compositions that The Beatles did not record, such as "Bad to Me," which became a UK number one hit in 1963. His collaboration with The Dakotas also yielded another UK chart-topper, "Little Children," in 1964.

Kramer began his career as a rhythm guitarist before switching to vocals, and his stage name was selected from a telephone directory, with John Lennon suggesting the addition of the "J" for a tougher edge. Managed by Epstein, Kramer's career was propelled by a series of hits written by Lennon and McCartney, including "I'll Keep You Satisfied" and "From a Window." His success was marked by appearances on prominent TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show and performances alongside major acts such as The Beatles, Del Shannon, and The Everly Brothers.

Despite the decline of the Merseybeat boom in 1965, Kramer continued to record and perform. He commemorated his 50th anniversary in music with new material titled "I Won The Fight" and released his autobiography, "Do You Want to Know a Secret," in 2016. Kramer's legacy endures as he remains active in the music industry, performing and promoting his Storytellers show.