Yes' original guitarist - Peter Banks - is dead

[Raja The Great]

He died of an heart attack apparently. I loved his work on the debut
album - Yes. To me, Yes is a great album and nothing short of a
masterpiece.

I would rate Close to the Edge, Fragile and The Yes Album over the
self titled debut just like most of the world would, but the s/t was a
humble yet for its time forward thinking. I enjoy the simple beauty of
songs like Yesterday and Today and Sweetness. I also like Banks guitar
work in lengthy covers I See You (The Byrds' cover) and Every Little
Thing (Beatles' cover, much better than the original, IMHO). The best
song on the album are in my opinion Looking Around and Survival.
Looking Around is a great rocker and has great riffs from both Banks
and Kaye (on keyboards). Survival is a dreamy lengthy song and is
probably the most progressive song on this not-so-prog album.

I think Anderson and Squire's idea of using orchestra on their
sophomore album Time And A Word was wrong. Banks protested and they
fired him. He had nothing much to do on the second album as his lines
were replaced with horns.

I think Banks got a bum deal. He was never again invited to perform
with Yes live or on any other album. Even on the horrible Union album
in 1991 where 8 Yes members participated, they didn't think of Banks.

I am not sure if Banks died in poverty, but he died without much
recogntion for his contributions. The band did make a statement after
his death. The poor guy died alone it seems. He died on March 7th and
his body was discovered only on March 13th.

-------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/peter-banks-dead_n_2863085.html

Members of the band Yes released an official statement on their
Facebook page, mourning the loss of their friend:

"We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of fellow bandmate
and founding Yes member, Peter Banks. He was a huge piece of the
fabric that made Yes what it is, and our thoughts, sincere
condolences, and prayers are with him and his family. Peter, we shall
miss you greatly."

[IBen Getiner]

> -------------------------------------------------------------http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/12/peter-banks-dead_n_2863085.html

>
> Members of the band Yes released an official statement on their
> Facebook page, mourning the loss of their friend:
>
> "We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of fellow bandmate
> and founding Yes member, Peter Banks. He was a huge piece of the
> fabric that made Yes what it is, and our thoughts, sincere
> condolences, and prayers are with him and his family. Peter, we shall
> miss you greatly."

A great prog guitarist. Too bad his band Flash didn't get out there
and go like it should have. The wife and I just listened to ‘Two Sides
Of Peter Banks’ this past Friday nite in his honor....

I just discovered that Toy Caldwell, the original leader and
songwriter of the Marshall Tucker band who passed away back in 1993,
died from a cocaine-induced heart attack. For years now the only thing
they would say was that he died in his sleep. Now this. So freekin'
unnecessary. 46 years young and no comeback will ever be forthcoming.
Not on this plane of existence, anyway.
Well, it was Alvin Lee first. And now Banks. I wonder who will be
number three?

[Tony Elka]

In article
<b9b54c7a-c62c-4f84...@h9g2000vbk.googlegroups.com>,

Raja The Great <zepf...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> He died of an heart attack apparently. I loved his work on the debut
> album - Yes. To me, Yes is a great album and nothing short of a
> masterpiece.

Wow, I haven't been here in over two years and you're STILL
cross-posting to rec.sport.tennis?

WTF?

Tony