Larry Banks

Bass doo-wop - soul singer - songwriter - producer, (b. 03-Oct-1931 : d. 26-Feb-1992)

Upon his return from service in the Korean War Lawrence H. "Larry" Banks became a member of The Four Fellows, along with Jim McGowan, Theodore Williams, and David Jones (3). Writer Ady Croasdell also identifies Milton Bennett as a member of the Fellows, who later became a songwriting partner with Banks. The group was known for the hit 'Soldier Boy' (The Four Fellows - Soldier Boy / Take Me Back, Baby), released on the Glory label in 1955. Raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY, Banks's father Arthur Banks had been a basso profundo singer in the Dunbar Barbershop Quartet. Banks's sister Harriette was also a soprano singer, later joining an evolution of the Four Fellows called The Companions. While a member of the Four Fellows, Banks met and married singer Bessie Banks. Together they had two children, Kevin and Gerald. Sister Harriette later married Banks collaborator Tony May.

Starting in 1961, Banks and May were partners in the Kev-Ton Kev-Ton Music Pub. Co. production and publishing company, with the "Kev" and "Ton" in the name referring to Banks's and May's first-born sons. It was during this era that Banks and Milton collaborated on the song 'Go Now' (Bessie Banks - Go Now), which was paired with a B-side written by May. Both songs were performed by Bessie Banks, recorded at Bell Sound studios, and released on the Leiber & Stoller Tiger Records (5) label in 1964. By this time, Bessie Banks and Larry Banks were separated and eventually divorced. Later that same year, the song was a hit for The Moody Blues.

Also in the mid-1960's, Banks did work with RCA Records, including developing, producing, and writing for the artists Kenny Carter and The Geminis. Banks also wrote songs for Detroit groups The Cavaliers and The Dynamics, and he worked with The Devonnes and The Shaladons. During the 1960s, Banks also recorded under his own name, including the singles Larry Banks - Will You Wait, Larry Banks - I Don't Wanna Do It, and Larry Banks - Muddy Water / I'm Not The One.

In 1965, Banks married the singer Joan Bates, who had been the lead singer of The Pleasures and who later took the stage name Jaibi. Banks and Jaibi would work together on several songs and projects, including the single 'You Got Me' (Jaibi - You Got Me), released in 1967 on Kapp Records. Banks and Jaibi together had a son, Corey Banks. With Jaibi also having three children from her previous marriage to Anthony Bates Sr., Jaibi set aside her musical career to raise the children. She later earned a Masters degree in computer science. Years later, after the Banks family moved to Hollis, Queens, NY, son Corey went on to some renown as an emcee during the Golden Age of hip-hop, under the name CeStyle, and later in the 21st century, under the name Corey Drumz.

Banks continued working in the music business into the 1980s, including reunion performances with The Four Fellows. He also partnered with friend and fellow martial artist Herman Kelly in a combination music studio and Karate dojo. After his divorce from Joan Bates (Jaibi), Banks moved back to Brooklyn, where he also maintained a recording studio. Larry Banks died February 26, 1992 and was buried with honors as a military veteran in Calverton National Cemetery.

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