R&B Vocalist. He was a founding member of the Detroit-based music group The Dramatics. Originally named The Dynamics, Banks formed the group as a teenager in the early 1960s,  along with William Howard, Larry Demps, Willie Ford and Elbert Wilkins;  their influences were Jackie Wilson and the Motown groups Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and The Temptations. Changing their name to The Dramatics, they recorded their first single “All Because of You” (1967),  which became a moderate hit. Their success took off after signing with the Volt record label, as they charted top ten hits with “Whatcha See is Whatcha Get” (peaking at number 9 in July 1971), and “In the Rain” (reaching number 5 in March 1972). With several appearances on the music program “Soul Train”, their popularity was assured throughout the 1970s. In 1983 Banks left the group to pursue a solo career, but would later reunite with them continuing to record and perform as a member until his death from a heart attack. (bio by: C.S.)