Origin: Scranton, Pennsylvania (USA)
DAKOTA
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| Jerry G. Hludzik - Bill Kelly |
Discography:
st - 1980 (with lyrics)
Runaway - 1984 (with lyrics)
st - 1980 (with lyrics)Runaway - 1984 (with lyrics)Notes:
- The origins of DAKOTA date back as far as 1971 and guitarist Bill Kelly's act THE BUOYS. Under this guise an American top 15 hit was scored with the Rupert Holmes penned single 'Timothy' before a shift in both personnel and direction. The addition of vocalist / guitarist Jerry G. Hludzik, forced a transition to the JERRY-KELLY BAND and an eponymous album in 1978.
A name change to the more user friendly DAKOTA ensued at the record company's request and the group debuted with 1980's 'Dakota'. Scoring a modest radio hit with 'If It Takes All Night' the group gained valuable national exposure when requested to open for QUEEN on the British Pomp Rockers 'Game' 35 date tour. At this juncture DAKOTA comprised Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly on guitars, Bill McHale on bass, Jeff Mitchell on keyboards, Lou Cossa on keys and guitar and new drummer Tony Romano, with all taking the vocal role with the exception of Romano. Unfortunately, the victim of behind the scenes label politics, DAKOTA would swiftly find themselves back on the club scene. In 1982 guitarist Rick Manwiller, previously a member of Pennsylvania Prog-Rock act STEPH, enrolled.
The band followed up on this momentum with the distinctly more commercially viable 'Runaway' album through new label MCA Records in 1984. This second record, now seeing Danny Seraphine taking command of the drums, is considered to be something of a cult classic by collectors. Appearing on the album as guest players were guitarists Richie Zito and Paul Jackson, bassist Neal Steubenhouse, ROLLING STONES saxophonist Ernie Watts, CHICAGO singer BILL CHAMPLIN and TOTO keyboard player Steve Porcaro.
In July of 1984 the band then inducted former ALECSTAR drummer Robbie Spagnoletti along with Tom Navagh on bass, the latter soon replaced with Jim Fricano. However, with promotion for 'Runaway' found wanting the live dates fizzled out and DAKOTA trimmed down to a trio, oddly performing live with the aid of a drum machine christened Dexter. DAKOTA's final 1986 performance took place at Scranton's Montage Amphitheatre, in front of roughly 17,000 loyal fans. In later years Spagnoletti resurfaced as part of Heavy Metal band TITANIUM BLACK.
It would be well over a decade before DAKOTA emerged again, this time with a previously unreleased third album given a release through the British based independent label Escape Music. The album, released locally as 'Lost Tracks', was the last to feature Bill Kelly who had opted out after the original recordings.
Hludzik formed a group called SECRET CITY before teaming up with guitarist Jon Lorance, previously with SYNCH, in a covers band. Jimmy Harnen, a former member of SYNCH, had scored a top 10 solo hit with the Jerry Hludzik/Bill Kelly produced, 'Where Are You Now?', this featuring Rick Manwiller on keyboards.
The 'Lost Tracks' album was released in 1996 through Escape as 'Mr. Lucky' and this set the stage for a brand new DAKOTA album to be recorded for Escape and issued in 1997. Entitled 'The Last Standing Man', the album introduces the new line-up of DAKOTA comprising Hludzik handling lead vocals and bass, Lorance on guitar, keyboard player Rick Manwiller and Jerry's son Eli Hludzik on the drums - the latter being merely a year old when the group released the debut album in 1980.
Members of DAKOTA were involved in the recording of an album from the group's former back-up singer JOSETTE. Jon Lorance, Eli Hludzik and Jerry Hludzik both contributed to the album (produced by Hludzik) that also features ex-HEART man Roger Fisher. The self-titled record was released by Escape in early 1998.
DAKOTA returned in 2001 with the 'Little Victories' album. A follow up, entitled 'Deep Six' seeing former vocalist Bill Kelly guesting on three songs, emerged in 2003 alongside re-issues of earlier records with added bonus tracks. In late 2004 Rick Manwiller spent time at Holy Hand Grenade Studios in Antioch, Tennessee recording a solo album billed 'Chocolate Detox'.
DAKOTA held a full band reunion show in Pittston, Pennsylvania on 23rd November 2005. -
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