Rhythm and Blues Musician. A native of New York, he was the bass singer and occasional songwriter for the early 1950s rhythm and blues quartet "The Four Fellows." Together with three friends, bass player Teddy Williams, first tenor David Jones, and second tenor Jim McGowan, Banks formed the group in 1954. They went onto have several hits including, "I Sit In My Window," "So Will I," "I Wish I Didn't Love You," "In The Rain," "Please Play My Song," "Angels Say," "I Tried," and the more popular "Soldier Boy," which as a single slipped onto Billboard's National R&B Charts, and rose to number four while remaining visible for 15 weeks in 1955. The fame of the quartet also became well known from their television appearances and concerts with the likes of Etta Jones, the Nutmegs, Gene and Eunice, Bo Diddley, the Moonglows, and others. By the early 1960s, Banks had left the quartet and was working with his wife, Bessie Banks on her solo career. Bessie whose real name was Toni had occasionally sang with the Four Fellows, and had recorded the single, "Go Now" (which Larry wrote) on Leiber & Stoller's Tiger Records. Larry Banks later started in his own group, and appeared off and on with the Four fellows at oldies shows during the 1970s. One of these many reunion concerts included the 1979 United in Group Harmony show in New Jersey, which was one of their last.
A veteran of the Korean War, Banks passed away in 1992. He was inducted into the United in Group Harmony Association's (UGHA) 8th Annual Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Fellows in 1998.
A veteran of the Korean War, Banks passed away in 1992. He was inducted into the United in Group Harmony Association's (UGHA) 8th Annual Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Fellows in 1998.
Rhythm and Blues Musician. A native of New York, he was the bass singer and occasional songwriter for the early 1950s rhythm and blues quartet "The Four Fellows." Together with three friends, bass player Teddy Williams, first tenor David Jones, and second tenor Jim McGowan, Banks formed the group in 1954. They went onto have several hits including, "I Sit In My Window," "So Will I," "I Wish I Didn't Love You," "In The Rain," "Please Play My Song," "Angels Say," "I Tried," and the more popular "Soldier Boy," which as a single slipped onto Billboard's National R&B Charts, and rose to number four while remaining visible for 15 weeks in 1955. The fame of the quartet also became well known from their television appearances and concerts with the likes of Etta Jones, the Nutmegs, Gene and Eunice, Bo Diddley, the Moonglows, and others. By the early 1960s, Banks had left the quartet and was working with his wife, Bessie Banks on her solo career. Bessie whose real name was Toni had occasionally sang with the Four Fellows, and had recorded the single, "Go Now" (which Larry wrote) on Leiber & Stoller's Tiger Records. Larry Banks later started in his own group, and appeared off and on with the Four fellows at oldies shows during the 1970s. One of these many reunion concerts included the 1979 United in Group Harmony show in New Jersey, which was one of their last.
A veteran of the Korean War, Banks passed away in 1992. He was inducted into the United in Group Harmony Association's (UGHA) 8th Annual Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Fellows in 1998.
A veteran of the Korean War, Banks passed away in 1992. He was inducted into the United in Group Harmony Association's (UGHA) 8th Annual Hall of Fame as a member of the Four Fellows in 1998.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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Private
US Army
Korea
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