Jeff Banks (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeff Banks
|
|
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jeff Willie Banks |
| Also known as | Bishop Jeff Banks |
| Born | June 7, 1927 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 31, 1997 (aged 69) Newark, New Jersey |
| Genres | gospel, traditional black gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instruments | vocals, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1953–1997 |
| Labels | Savoy |
| Associated acts | Mary Johnson Davis, Famous Banks Brothers, The Revival Temple Choir, The Revival Temple Community Choir, The Revival Temple Mass Choir |
Bishop Jeff Willie Banks (born June 7, 1927 – died January 31, 1997) was an American gospel musician. He was also the first pastor of Revival Temple Holiness Church. This church was part of The Church of God in Christ.
Jeff Banks started his music journey in 1953. He joined a group called the Famous Banks Brothers. Before that, from 1947 to 1953, he learned a lot about music from Mary Johnson Davis. His first album, Lord Lift Me Up, came out in 1984. Savoy Records released all his albums. He released seven albums in total. Four of these albums became very popular on the Billboard magazine Gospel Albums chart. These hit albums were Lord Lift Me Up (1984), Caught up in the Rapture (1987), The Storm Is Over (1989), and He's All over Me (1993).
Early Life and Ministry
Jeff Willie Banks was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 7, 1927. He and his brother, Charles O. Davis, learned music together. They were both solo singers and were taught by Mary Johnson Davis from 1947 to 1953.
After their training, they formed the Famous Banks Brothers. They later moved to Newark, New Jersey. Both brothers felt called to become ministers and lead their own churches. Rev. Charles Banks started Greater Harvest Baptist Church. Jeff Banks became the Minister of Music. In 1965, Jeff started Revival Temple Holiness Church.
Music Career Highlights
In 1976, Avery White and Bishop Jeff Banks created the Revival Temple Mass Choir. Their first live album, "Master Mind Is He," came out in 1977 on Savoy Records. This album also made it onto the Billboard charts. The Jeff Banks Choir traveled all over the country.
Their second album was "The Righteous," which included the popular song "Go Ahead." The third album, "Taking Him Higher," featured the inspiring song "Don't Give Up Stay in the Race" (1982). Their fourth album, "WORK ON ME," helped the choir become even more famous on Billboard.
Jeff Banks often worked with many talented songwriters. Some of these included Paul Gainer, Dennis Bines, John P. Kee, and Milton Biggham.
In 1984, his album Love Lift Me Up (which included the song "Pray Will Fix It") was a big hit. It stayed on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart for many weeks. This album reached No. 3 on the chart.
His sixth live album was "Touch Me One More Time." It featured songs like "Let Me Walk in the Spirit" and "Saved So Glad About It." In 1987, his album Caught up in the Rapture reached No. 12 on the charts. The song "Let's Go Back to the Old Landmark" became very popular across the country.
The Storm Is Over reached No. 18. A live video was also recorded, showing the best of Bishop Jeff Banks & Revival Temple Mass Choir. In 1993, He's All over Me reached No. 9.
Bishop Banks performed his music at famous places. These include Madison Square Garden, Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theatre, and the Beacon Theatre (with Al Green). He also performed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He even released a live album with the Famous Banks Brothers & Revival Temple Mass Choir called "Lord I've Tried."
Later Life
Bishop Banks passed away on January 31, 1997, in Newark, New Jersey.
