Rock Musician. He was a founding member of the influential British progressive-rock ensemble Yes and later went onto form the group Flash. Individually, Banks earned the reputation of being a stellar and reputable guitarist during his era. Born Peter William Brockbanks, he developed an interest in music while a youth when his father gave him a low-cost acoustic guitar. Self-taught, he mastered the instrument and added the banjo to his talents. At the age of eighteen, he experienced playing in his first band, a psychedelic outfit named Syn for which included future Yes bandmate Chris Squire. Two minor singles resulted and following their dissolving, Banks rejoined Squire in a group called Toy Shop for which included singer Jon Anderson, drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye. Yes came to fruition and in 1969, they secured a record contract with the Atlantic label. Their self-titled album was released that year and with it they ushered in a new music sound born from the blend of psychedelic, blues and jazz with emphasis on the keyboards for which was christened "Progressive Rock". Following the release of their second album "Time and a Word" (1970), Banks departed after a dispute with other band members over the direction their music style was headed in and was replaced by Steve Howe. He founded Flash which included Tony Kaye whom left Yes in 1971. They yielded three albums prior to separating. Banks moved onto his next project Empire and additionally focused on a solo career as well as session music. He died of complications from heart failure and at the time of his death, he was in the process of working on a compilation of live recordings.
Rock Musician. He was a founding member of the influential British progressive-rock ensemble Yes and later went onto form the group Flash. Individually, Banks earned the reputation of being a stellar and reputable guitarist during his era. Born Peter William Brockbanks, he developed an interest in music while a youth when his father gave him a low-cost acoustic guitar. Self-taught, he mastered the instrument and added the banjo to his talents. At the age of eighteen, he experienced playing in his first band, a psychedelic outfit named Syn for which included future Yes bandmate Chris Squire. Two minor singles resulted and following their dissolving, Banks rejoined Squire in a group called Toy Shop for which included singer Jon Anderson, drummer Bill Bruford and keyboardist Tony Kaye. Yes came to fruition and in 1969, they secured a record contract with the Atlantic label. Their self-titled album was released that year and with it they ushered in a new music sound born from the blend of psychedelic, blues and jazz with emphasis on the keyboards for which was christened "Progressive Rock". Following the release of their second album "Time and a Word" (1970), Banks departed after a dispute with other band members over the direction their music style was headed in and was replaced by Steve Howe. He founded Flash which included Tony Kaye whom left Yes in 1971. They yielded three albums prior to separating. Banks moved onto his next project Empire and additionally focused on a solo career as well as session music. He died of complications from heart failure and at the time of his death, he was in the process of working on a compilation of live recordings.
Bio by: C.S.
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