Gordon Banks (musician)

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Gordon Banks, aka Gordon 'Guitar' Banks, is an American guitarist, producer, writer and musical director. He was voted one of the top 100 guitarists in America in 1985.

Banks played an important part in Marvin Gaye's later years. Gaye referred to him as "ID" meaning "The Indicator".

[edit] Early years

Banks was born on February 22, 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. At age 12 he began playing the guitar for The Showmen, a group created by Norman General Johnson, aka "The Chairman of the Board". The Showmen were a beach music group that played the East coast of America and had success with the hit "39 31 40 Shape". Banks, one of three musicians in The Showmen, combined the style of Jimi Hendrix with beach music. At that early age, Banks created a style that would soon be copied by guitarists worldwide.

[edit] 1970's & 1980's

After attending Norfolk State University, Banks left Norfolk for Los Angeles where he worked for many groups like The Gap Band, New Birth, Mandrill and many many others. In 1977 He met Marvin Gaye and in less than a year, he became Marvin's musical director.

Before long, Banks was Marvin's main producer.

Banks wrote My Love Is Waiting. The song replaced Sexual Healing on English charts. At the time, the UK felt the the lyrics of Sexual Healing were rated X. My Love Is Waiting went to #2 on the charts. This new found union of Banks and Gaye went on to prouduce other top 5 hits. His guitar work on Sexual Healing was instrumental in the Grammy Award won by Marvin.

[edit] 2000's

Banks has a very large collection of unreleased music by Marvin Gaye. The only concert footage of Gaye's last concert tour is owned by Banks. The release of some of this rare concert footage will be a must for Marvin fans world wide.

Banks also worked for: Stevie Wonder, Eddie Murphy, Gladys Knight and the Pips, New Birth, Mandrill, Edwin Hawkins, Oakland East Bay Symphony, Barry White, Larry Graham, Eric Sermon, Gene Chandler, Peaches not Herb, L.T.D., Natalie Cole, McFadden and Whitehead, The Temptations and High Energy.