Bessie Banks facts for kids

Bessie Banks (born February 8, 1938) is an American rhythm and blues (R&B) and soul singer. She is most famous for her original song "Go Now" from 1964. A British band called the Moody Blues later made their own very popular version of this song.

Early Life and Music

Bessie White was born in New Bern, North Carolina. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York City. In the mid-1950s, she started singing with a group called Three Guys and a Doll.

While in the group, she met another singer named Larry Banks. They got married around 1955. For a while, Bessie sang and recorded music as Toni Banks. In 1957, she released a song called "You're Still in My Heart."

In 1959, Bessie and Larry sang together in a group called the Companions. They released a song called "Why Oh Why Baby."

The Story of "Go Now"

Bessie Banks started singing solo again in the early 1960s, using her original name. Her song "Do It Now" became popular in 1963. It reached number 40 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Even though Bessie and Larry Banks later separated, they kept working on music together. In late 1963, Larry wrote a special song for Bessie called "Go Now." They hoped this song would make her a national star.

Famous music producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller helped record "Go Now." The song was arranged by Gary Sherman. Cissy Houston and Dee Dee Warwick were some of the background singers.

Bessie Banks remembered a sad time during the recording of "Go Now." She said, "I remember 1963 Kennedy was assassinated; it was announced over the radio. At the time, I was rehearsing in the office of Leiber and Stoller. We called it a day. Everyone was in tears."

She continued, "Come back next week and we will be ready to record 'Go Now'; and we did so. I was happy and excited that maybe this time I’ll make it."

Bessie's version of "Go Now" was released in the United States in January 1964. It was chosen as a "Pick Hit of the Week" on a radio station. This meant it would be played a lot.

However, things changed quickly. Bessie heard her song on the radio, but it was not her singing. It was the Moody Blues! This was during the time of the British Invasion, when many British bands became very popular in America.

Bessie felt that American radio stations stopped playing American artists as much. The Moody Blues' version of "Go Now" became a huge hit in the UK and then in the US.

Later Music and Legacy

Bessie Banks went back to the studio in 1967. She recorded a song called "I Can't Make It (Without You Baby)." In 1974, she released more singles, including "Try to Leave Me if You Can" and "(Don't You Worry Baby) The Best Is Yet to Come."

Larry Banks also recorded his own music. He worked with his second wife, Joan, who sang as Jaibi. In 2007, a collection of songs, including some by Bessie Banks, was released. It was called Larry Banks' Soul Family Album.

At that time, it was reported that Bessie Banks still sings. She mostly sings gospel music now.