Dakota

Dakota was an American melodic rock band from North East Pennsylvania. The group's origins can be traced back to a band called The Buoys, which featured Bill Kelly and Jerry Hludzik. In 1978, they formed the Jerry-Kelly band and signed with Epic Records. By 1979, Columbia Records insisted they change their name to Dakota. Their first self-titled album Dakota was released in 1980, featuring the single "If It Takes All Night". The band gained significant exposure as the opening act for Queen's 1980–1981 The Game Tour. Their second album, Runaway, was released in 1984. After a hiatus starting in 1987, original member Jerry Hludzik continued to record albums under the Dakota name during the 1990s and 2000s. In 2014, Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly reunited with Jon Lorance and Eli Hludzik to release Long Road Home (2015).