Tony Banks

Biography

Anthony George Banks (born 27 March 1950) is an English musician primarily known as the keyboardist and founding member of the rock band Genesis. Banks is also a prolific solo artist, releasing six solo studio albums that range through progressive rock, pop, and classical music.
Banks co-founded Genesis in 1967 while studying at Charterhouse. He was their keyboardist and one of their principal songwriters and lyricists. He became a frequent user of the Hammond T-102 organ, Mellotron, ARP Pro Soloist and Yamaha CP-70 piano. In the band's earliest years Banks would play acoustic guitar for some of the mellow and pastoral songs.
In 2010, Banks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis. In 2011, he was included on MusicRadar's list of the 27 greatest keyboard players of all time. In 2015, he was named "Prog God" at the Progressive Music Awards.

Early life

Anthony George Banks was born on 27 March 1950 in East Hoathly with Halland, East Sussex as the youngest of five children. He cites his mother, a pianist, as being particularly into music, and first listened to classical music albums that she owned from around six before he moved to musical theatre compositions by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Banks's elder brother introduced him to a wider variety, naming "Sixteen Tons" sung by Frankie Laine as one of the songs, and said, "By 1961, and for the next five to six years, I was music mad!" Banks started piano lessons at school at eight with the headmaster's wife, but did not enjoy tuition at first because he was "quite forced into it" by his parents until he grew to enjoy it. He considered himself an average piano player, and learned to play pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Maurice Ravel, his two favourite piano composers, by ear. At 13, he began lessons with an unsuitable teacher who made him lose interest in classical music, but he then started to play songs by ear that he heard on the radio. Months later, he acquired a new piano teacher who sparked his interest in classical compositions once more, which became a deciding factor for Banks's decision to pursue a career in music. In addition to the piano, Banks taught himself to play the guitar.
At seven, Banks began six years of study at Boarzell Preparatory School, a boarding school in Hurst Green. In September 1963, Banks began study at Charterhouse School, a private school in Godalming, Surrey. He studied classical piano as an extracurricular subject. Shortly after his arrival he befriended fellow pupil and future Genesis bandmate Peter Gabriel, initially over their general distaste for the school's environment. They went on to play in Garden Wall, a school band with drummer Chris Stewart. In early 1967, they merged with guitarists Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips, two members of Anon, another school band, to record a series of demos which led to the formation of their new band Genesis.
Banks originally planned to study mathematics in higher education. After leaving Charterhouse, Banks began studying chemistry at Sussex University but soon switched to physics and philosophy. After a year at Sussex, he took a leave of absence in 1969 to explore a career with Genesis since the group had split but decided to reform and become a full-time professional band. Banks never returned to the university.

1967–2007: Genesis

Banks's elaborate arrangements and keyboard solos (such as the piano introduction to "Firth of Fifth" and the instrumental sections of "The Cinema Show", "Watcher of the Skies", and "Supper's Ready") helped to establish Genesis's sound. In addition to playing keyboards, Banks contributed (along with Anthony Phillips, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford) to Genesis's 12-string acoustic passages in songs such as "The Musical Box", "Entangled", "The Cinema Show", and the beginning part of "Supper's Ready". Banks was also an occasional back-up vocalist and sang lead vocal on part of "Shepherd", a song from 1970 which was only released on the Genesis Archive 1967–75 boxed set. Though Genesis's practice was to write songs as a group, Banks would on occasion bring to the group a completed song and not allow the other members to add anything to it, starting with "Time Table" on Foxtrot (1972). Notable Banks-penned Genesis songs include the minor hit "Many Too Many" and the anthemic ballad "Afterglow", which remained a popular coda to the Banks-driven medleys that the group played during live shows for years.
Initially Banks played only piano and backing vocals with Genesis, but by the time of Trespass (1970) he had expanded his keyboards repertoire to include Hammond organ and Mellotron. According to Phillips, Banks had an especially difficult time adapting to the organ, which he called "a box of tricks". Banks said he found both the Hammond organ and Mellotron rather limited once he got a handle on them, and acquiring more advanced synthesizers such as the ARP Pro Soloist (which he first used on the 1973 album Selling England by the Pound) opened up a wide range of possibilities for him.
Original lead singer Peter Gabriel was both Banks's best friend within Genesis and the member he feuded with most frequently. Gabriel recalled, "We were used to having this passive-aggressive tone to rehearsals and, although Tony and I were best friends, we would often be at loggerheads about the music. He was a lot more nervous back then and not at ease within himself.... Without question, we were passionate about creating something great, but I think we were also both awkward buggers, so it was a personality thing as well."
In 1997, Banks turned down an invitation to play on Steve Hackett's solo album Genesis Revisited as he disliked going over past material and an appearance would have added confusion to the fact that Genesis were close to putting out Calling All Stations.
After Genesis split in 1998, Banks's career stagnated, and he considered retirement from music. It was during this time that he began composing, titling an early piece "Black Down" which led to his decision to pursue orchestra composition.

Rock albums

Banks first thought of making a solo album in 1975, following Gabriel's departure from Genesis. He had a group of songs in development at the time which were used on A Trick of the Tail (1976), their first album recorded without Gabriel, including "Mad Man Moon" and sections of "Entangled" and "Ripples".
In 1979, after Genesis had entered a break in activity, Banks and Rutherford travelled to Polar Studios in Stockholm and recorded their first studio albums. Banks's album, A Curious Feeling×A Curious Feeling8 October 1979 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1From the Undertow2:45A2Lucky Me4:28A3The Lie5:00A4After the Lie4:53A5A Curious Feeling4:00A6Forever Morning5:59B1You6:32B2Somebody Else’s Dream7:52B3The Waters of Lethe6:30B4For a While3:41B5In the Dark3:00, was released first in October of that year. It was originally meant to be based on and titled after the short story Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, and Banks had written a complete set of lyrics for the story, but shelved the idea after he was made aware of an upcoming musical about the book. In addition to keyboards Banks played the guitar and bass as he wanted the album to be "As personal as possible". He enlisted Kim Beacon of String Driven Thing as vocalist.
In June 1983, Banks released his second studio album, The Fugitive×The Fugitive1983 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1This Is Love5:102Man of Spells3:463And the Wheels Keep Turning4:494Say You’ll Never Leave Me4:335Thirty Three’s4:426By You4:287At the Edge of Night6:038Charm5:279Moving Under6:0110K23:5911Sometime Never3:42. It remains his only album to feature him as lead vocalist on all of the songs, a role he considered after recording guide vocals for Phil Collins to sing for "Me and Sarah Jane" and "Keep It Dark" on the Genesis album Abacab (1981). Banks has employed guest vocalists on his solo albums; these have included Fish, Nik Kershaw, Toyah Willcox, Jack Hues and Jim Diamond.
In 1988, Banks recorded a pop and rock-oriented album under the group identity Bankstatement, featuring guitarist and co-producer Steve Hillage and singers Alistair Gordon and Jayney Klimek, plus additional musicians. Banks felt inspired to pursue the project having witnessed Rutherford enjoy the success of his own group, Mike + the Mechanics. Their eponymously-titled album was released in 1989. Banks also performed lead vocals on the song "Big Man."
Banks released his fourth studio album, Still×Still31 May 1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Red Day on Blue Street5:502Angel Face5:183The Gift3:564Still It Takes Me by Surprise6:275Hero for an Hour4:556I Wanna Change the Score4:317Water out of Wine4:398Another Murder of a Day9:049Back to Back4:3410The Final Curtain4:55, in April 1991 featuring Fish and Nik Kershaw. In contrast to his previous use of one or two vocalists on an album, he chose a greater number for Still as he saw little point in restricting himself and selected different people for tracks they suited best. As on the previous album, Banks took the lead vocal on one track (Hero For an Hour)
Banks formed his second group project outside Genesis in 1994. He initially wanted to name the band Incognito, but found out there was another group with the name and chose Strictly Inc. It featured him with Wang Chung vocalist Jack Hues, and their eponymously-titled album saw a UK release in September 1995.
In 2004, after recording his classical album Seven, Banks expressed an interest in recording another rock solo album but decided that the environment was becoming increasingly difficult in terms of securing a deal; yet the likelihood of it solely being an independent or online release did appeal to him. He added: "I'm not trying to prove anything. I haven't got to convince anybody. I don't have to worry about reviews or anything like that. You are just doing it for people who are familiar with what you are doing".

Film scores

In 1978, Banks and Rutherford were asked by musician and producer Rupert Hine to write music for the horror film The Shout (1978), after David Bowie was originally booked but failed to attend sessions. Hine recommended Genesis, and organised recording in a church without Collins as he was unavailable at short notice. The main theme that they developed was later featured on "From the Undertow" on Banks's solo album A Curious Feeling×A Curious Feeling8 October 1979 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracksA1From the Undertow2:45A2Lucky Me4:28A3The Lie5:00A4After the Lie4:53A5A Curious Feeling4:00A6Forever Morning5:59B1You6:32B2Somebody Else’s Dream7:52B3The Waters of Lethe6:30B4For a While3:41B5In the Dark3:00.
Banks's first major film score was for the 1983 loose remake The Wicked Lady (1983), for director Michael Winner. The soundtrack was released in April 1983 on Atlantic Records.
Around 1983, Banks was asked by director Peter Hyams to score the soundtrack to 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984), the sequel to the popular science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), having liked his work for The Shout. However, the "masses" of music Banks had written was poorly received by Hyams which led to his departure from the project, leaving Banks disappointed. With months to spare, Banks accepted the job of scoring another science fiction film, Lorca and the Outlaws (1984), which came with no salary. Its low budget prevented Banks from using a professional studio, so he wrote the music using his own 16-track machine.
His next soundtrack was the drama film Quicksilver (1986). Banks recalled the directors were more supportive towards him and the process went smoothly, but disliked their demand for more straightforward songs on the soundtrack in order to have a hit single that they could release. Among the tracks recorded was "Shortcut to Somewhere", a collaboration with Marillion singer Fish, which became the only single from Banks's solo career to chart in the UK when it reached number 75.
Selections of music written for Lorca and the Outlaws and Quicksilver were later released on Banks's compilation album Soundtracks×SoundtracksMarch 1986 · Album · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Short Cut to Somewhere3:392Smilin’ Jack Casey3:153Quicksilver Suite: Rebirth2:574Quicksilver Suite: Gypsy3:395Quicksilver Suite: Final Chase2:466You Call This Victory5:157Lion of Symmetry7:248Redwing Suite: Redwing5:399Redwing Suite: Lorca3:5010Redwing Suite: Kid and Detective Droid2:0911Redwing Suite: Lift Off3:0712Redwing Suite: Death of Abby1:41 (1986).

Classical albums

Banks became interested in the music of Gustav Mahler after hearing it in the film Death in Venice (1971). He also cites Dmitri Shostakovich and Erik Satie as composers whose music he has enjoyed. He identifies Symphony No. 4 in A minor and Symphony No. 7 in C major by Jean Sibelius, and Symphony No. 5 in D major by Ralph Vaughan Williams as favourite pieces. Critics have noted that Vaughan Williams and film composer John Barry are notable influences on his own orchestral compositions. Banks has acknowledged similarities in style between his orchestral works and those of Vaughan Williams, Sibelius and Barry.
In March 2004, Banks released his fourth studio album, and first of entirely classical music, entitled Seven: A Suite for Orchestra×Seven: A Suite for Orchestra2004 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Spring Tide10:152Black Down9:463The Gateway7:304The Ram8:535Earthlight4:436Neap Tide4:587The Spirit of Gravity11:33 on Naxos Records. He had the idea for the album around six years prior to starting working on it, and felt encouraged after hearing the orchestral arrangements of his compositions for the soundtrack to The Wicked Lady×The Wicked LadyApril 1983 · Album · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracksA1The Wicked Lady3:43A2Spring2:35A3The Chase3:28A4Caroline3:10A5Jerry Jackson2:28A6Repentance2:09A7Kit3:03A8Barbara4:46B1Prelude to the Wicked Lady4:05B2Portrait of Jerry Jackson5:00B3Caroline’s Theme3:05B4Scherzo2:43B5Pastorale4:02B6The Wicked Lady3:46B7Kit’s Theme3:15B8Finale2:05. It features seven compositions performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Banks on the piano for three tracks with conductor Mike Dixon.
On 26 March 2012, Banks's second classical album was released (also on Naxos), entitled Six Pieces for Orchestra×Six Pieces for Orchestra19 March 2012 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Siren8:492Still Waters6:413Blade10:204Wild Pilgrimage8:145The Oracle5:166City of Gold12:05, performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Paul Englishby. Tracks are: "Siren" featuring Martin Robertson on alto saxophone, "Still Waters", "Blade" with Charlie Siem on violin, "Wild Pilgrimage", "The Oracle" and "City of Gold".
Banks's third classical music album, Five, was released in February 2018. As he related in the album's booklet, "In 2013, I was approached to write a piece for the following year's Cheltenham Music Festival, which I readily agreed to as this seemed a good opportunity for me to have one of my orchestral pieces played live, which had not happened before...since then I have written more music, creating this suite...". It features five pieces performed by The Czech National Symphony Orchestra and Choir conducted by Nick Ingman, and Banks on piano and celeste.
Other recent projects includes writing music for operatic tenor John Potter and to a Shakespeare sonnet.

Reception

Music historian Wayne Studer has referred to Banks as "the most tasteful keyboardist of prog rock." Scott Solida of MusicRadar also described him as "tasteful and often restrained", whose "playing was always in service to the song." Solida added, "Banks exhibited a sense of arrangement and purpose so often missing in the excesses of his peers." In 2018, Philip Wilding of Classic Rock described Banks as "the most overlooked solo artist from Genesis".
Banks has pioneered many unique keyboard and synthesizer sounds throughout his career; one of his achievements was the technique of using the trigger output of a Linn LM-1 drum machine to have the hi-hat pattern trigger an ARP Quadra synthesizer, creating such parts as the pulsating drum sound in "Mama" (from 1983's Genesis) and "By You" on The Fugitive (1983). Another unique synth technique was used on the track "Who Dunnit?" from the 1981 album Abacab; a Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 was programmed with a few sounds, and the patches were switched manually (via the panel preset tabs) while he played.
Known for his lack of flamboyance on stage, Banks did however wear a snorkel for performances of "Who Dunnit?" on the Abacab tour.

Personal life

Banks married Margaret McBain on 29 July 1972. They had a one-day honeymoon as Banks was too busy with finishing the Genesis album Foxtrot. Banks said: "The band felt sorry for me so they paid for her to come on the next tour". The couple have two children.

Solo albums

Studio albums

A Curious Feeling (1979)
The Fugitive (1983)
Bankstatement (1989, credited to Bankstatement)
Still (1991)
Strictly Inc. (1995, credited to Strictly Inc.)
Seven: A Suite for Orchestra (2004)
Six Pieces for Orchestra (2012)
Five (2018)
Soundtrack albums

The Wicked Lady (1983)
Soundtracks (1986)
Box sets

A Chord Too Far (2015)
Banks Vaults: The Albums 1979–1995 (2019)
18 Pieces for Orchestra (2024)

Singles

"For a While×For a WhileSeptember 1979 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAFor a WhileBA Curious Feeling" (1979)
"For a While" (reissue) (1979)
"The Wicked Lady×The Wicked LadyApril 1983 · Album · SoundtrackSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 16 tracksA1The Wicked Lady3:43A2Spring2:35A3The Chase3:28A4Caroline3:10A5Jerry Jackson2:28A6Repentance2:09A7Kit3:03A8Barbara4:46B1Prelude to the Wicked Lady4:05B2Portrait of Jerry Jackson5:00B3Caroline’s Theme3:05B4Scherzo2:43B5Pastorale4:02B6The Wicked Lady3:46B7Kit’s Theme3:15B8Finale2:05" (1983)
"This Is Love×This Is Love1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAThis Is LoveBCharm" (1983)
"And the Wheels Keep Turning×And the Wheels Keep Turning1983 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAAnd the Wheels Keep Turning3:44BMan of Spells3:43" (1983)
"You Call This Victory" (1985, feat. Jim Diamond)
"Shortcut to Somewhere" (1986, feat. Fish)
"Throwback" (1989, Bankstatement)
"I'll Be Waiting" (1989, Bankstatement)
"I Wanna Change the Score×I Wanna Change the Score6 May 1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1I Wanna Change the Score4:322Hero for an Hour4:423Big Man4:114The Waters of Lethe6:32" (1991, feat. Nik Kershaw)
"The Gift×The Gift8 July 1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAThe Gift3:56BBack to Back4:30" (1991, feat. Andy Taylor)
"Still It Takes Me by Surprise×Still It Takes Me by Surprise1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Still It Takes Me by Surprise (edit)3:272The Final Curtain4:573Still It Takes Me by Surprise (full length version)6:27" (1992, feat. Andy Taylor)
"Only Seventeen" (1995, Strictly Inc.)
"Walls of Sound" (1995, Strictly Inc.)