Detroit based soul singer, born July 25, 1937 in Mansfield, Ohio, died February 24, 1970 in Detroit, Michigan. He released two singles with in 1966, three singles and a full album with , then later two singles and a full album with which were produced by . He was shot and killed by off-duty policeman Aaron Bullock during a dispute with Banks' girlfriend Marjorie Bozeman, with whom Bullock had been having an affair. An article regarding Banks' death was published in the Michigan Chronicle on March 7th 1970. He lay in an unmarked grave for 34 years until on the 17th of July 2004 a Memorial Bench was placed on his grave, paid for by fans from across the world.

Banks' biggest hit was "Open The Door To Your Heart," which he co-wrote with . In December 2014 a copy of the London Records pressing of that record, thought to have been the only copy from that pressing not destroyed when rival label EMI won the rights to release the song, sold at a UK auction for a sum in excess of £14,000 (US$23,000).