Willie Banks

Willie Banks (May 11, 1929 – February 1, 1993), was an American gospel musician and originator of his backing band, The Messengers. Banks started the Messengers in 1972 after he left The Jackson Southernaires. While with the Jackson Southernaires, Banks made his first big hit on Peacock Records with the song "Too Late". His first song with The Messengers in 1972 was "Heaven Must Be A Beautiful Place", also on Peacock Records. A String of "Chittlin Circuit" hits was released on HSE Records. His first major hit was "Things I Can't Change" in 1974. His super hit was "For The Wrong I've Done" for which he was nominated for a Grammy in 1980. Banks stayed with HSE Records until they changed their name to Black Label. Three projects were released on this label. Willie Banks moved over to Malaco Records in the mid 80's. He penned "Look at the Blessings" in 1986 with Malaco. He would release thirteen albums with them, four of them placing on the Billboard magazine Top Gospel Albums chart: For The Wrong I Done (1978), Mother Why (1980), The Legend Lives On (1992) and 1993's The Best of Willie Banks, which was released posthumously.

Early life

Banks was born on May 11, 1929 in Raymond, Mississippi, and his mother started him singing at five years. He help formed The Jackson Southernaires, a group which he we come an go over a period of years , he did a brief few years with madam Edna G Cooke In 1972 after leaving The Southernaires he would form his own group The Messenger The group had a tragic accident on July 6, 1981 with their van careening down a 50 foot embankment near Atlanta, Georgia that killed one band member, while Banks was left to cling to life for several days before rescuers found him. This was the impetus for him and the band to sign with Malaco Records and release gospel music albums.

Music career

He commenced his recording music career in 1972, with the release Heaven Must Be A Beautiful Place "On Peacock Records of Look at the Blessings with Malaco Records. They would release twelve more albums with some being released posthumously, and two of these charted on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart. The 1992 album, The Legend Lives On, placed on that particular chart at No. 19, while the 1993 album, Best of Willie Banks, placed at No. 40. He released albums with only two labels, Malaco Records and Black Label Recordings.

Personal life

Willie Banks died in 1993 due to heart failure. He was buried at Garden Memorial cemetery in Jackson (Hinds County) MS.

Discography

• Too Late (1964)
• Heaven Must Be A Beautiful Place (1973)
• The Things I Can't Change (1974)
• God's Goodness (1975)
• God Will Take Care Of His Own (1976)
• For The Wrong I've Done" (1978)
• Show Me The Way (1979)
• Mother Why? (1980)
• God Is Still In Charge (1982)
• In The Name of Jesus (1983)
• The House of Prayer (1985)
• Look At The Blessings (1988)
• Masterpiece (1989)
• Willie Banks and the Messengers in Concert (1991)
• The Legend Lives On (1992)
• The Best of Willie Banks (1994)