Singer, songwriter and producer, born 2 August 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee, died 3 April 2003 in Memphis, Tennessee.
Recorded a few singles in the early 1960s before joining the Stax record label as a songwriter, working with artists like
Sam & Dave and The
Staple Singers. In 1968 he teamed up with
Bettye Crutcher and
Raymond Jackson to form the
We Three songwriting team, best known for their 1968 hit
Who’s Making Love, recorded by
Johnnie Taylor. He has a twin brother, songwriter
James Banks.
Banks worked for the label until its bankruptcy in 1976, co-writing songs like
If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Want To Be Right).
After the collapse of Stax records Banks remained active as a songwriter and producer and recorded one album in 1977 with his songwriting and producing partner
Carl Hampton.