Peter Banks there IS only ONE =FLASH=: General Info
Member Since
11/1/2006
Band Members
Throughout his storied musical career, Pete Banks has collaborated with: Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye, Colin Carter, Ray Bennett, Mike Hough, Sidney Foxx, Lonnie Donegan, Pete Townshend, Gerard Johnson, Bill Forth, Ant Bee, Saint Entienne, Funky Monkey, Lionel Richie, George "TheMiz" Mizer, Jakob Magnusson, Jeffrey Fayman, Oliver Wakeman, Clive Nolan, Phil Collins, Jan Akerman, Nick Cottam, Andrew Booker, and many others.
Influences
Some of Peter Banks' favorite artists include: Soft Machine, King Crimson, Keith Jarrett, Benjamin Britten, Vaughan Williams, Schnittke, The Beatles, Weather Report, and David Sylvian.
Sounds Like
Peter Banks, The Syn, Mabel Greers Toyshop, Yes, Flash, Empire, Harmony In Diversity
PETER BANKS & EMPIRE featuring PHIL COLLINS - Sky At Night
One of the Bootleg Videos of Harmony in Diversity taken in at Blackwood Miners Institute. The Band Members are ex Yes guitarist Peter Banks, Nick Cottam Bass and David Speight: Drums. HARMONY IN DIVERSITY
Hello Myspace people! I'm very delighted to know that so many fellow musicians and aficionados alike have been stopping by this space. Thanks for your kind messages and memorable mentions. --Pete Banks, London
London-born, Peter Banks came to the fore of the progressive rock world after recording two albums with Yes--their self-titled debut release in 1969, followed by Time And A Word in 1970.
After a brief stint with Blodwyn Pig, Banks then formed Flash and released three notable albums: Flash (1972), Out Of Our Hands, (1972), and In The Can (1973).
Pete has also produced and recorded several solo albums beginning with Two Sides of Peter Banks in 1973 which featured Jan Akkerman and Phil Collins.
Instinct (1993), Self-Contained (1995), and Reduction (1997) were more intimate examples of Bank's diverse technical and stylistic virtuosity.
Never one to stagnate with predictability, in late 2004, Banks formed Harmony In Diversity, a free-form psychedelic improv three-piece who perform in London and have a CD out entitled Trying. The group currently consists of Banks, Nick Cottam on bass and David Speight on drums.
Pete is also currently involved in a jazz-fusion project called Self-Contained with Spanish keyboard player Gonzalo Carrera (Infusion, Wild Turkey, Karnataka).
The Official Pete Banks MySpace Page is maintained by friends of PB with his consent and direction. The best way for Pete to see a message is if you leave it in the comments section. But please say something more than "thanks for the add." Thanks.
Peter Banks there IS only ONE =FLASH='s Friend Space (Top 20)
Peter Banks there IS only ONE =FLASH= has 2336 friends.
Hi Peter, My Blog about I See You isn't being accepted either due to gremlins in the machine so I'll submit it here:
That first Yes album laid down the blueprint for everything that followed after. It also showed how versatile the band was by taking a well-known song by another band and doing a completely unique version of it while showing no disrespect for the original. Having a guitar-drums improv. in the middle of that song was a daring move on a debut album but it worked really well, a real showcase for Mr. Banks and Mr. Bruford in their younger days. Although both musicians may look back on this now with a degree of humor because they're both matured and advanced players now, this is still a great example of how great a band that 1st Yes was. I'm sure if both of these guys attempted this piece now with the abilities they now possess they'd blow down a few buildings within a large radius, something that I actually wouldn't mind hearing at all. I See You is still a highlight of the debut Yes album after all these years and I still enjoy hearing it.
Thanks Pete for the insights of 39 years ago. (My blog comment will not post so I'll drop this in the comments) It is good that you did not keep it short in the middle of I See You. Your bit with Bill sounds relaxed, flowing and far from embarrassing. In fact I know a few young guitar players in my world that were greatly influenced by those particular moments in music. I even dust off my drum kit and try to keep up with you and Mr. Metronome once in a while. You will always have friends in the burgh Pete. All smiles, Dave E.
Hey Peter, it's good to see you still playing and experimenting. You were an inspiration for me as a young musician. And your sensitive welcome to the fans is the most remarkable thing I've read on a myspace band page...I instantly felt appreciated. Thank you.
Thanks for the add, Pete - incredible guitar playing, was a pleasure to visit and to listen. Astral Traveller is my fave! Best regards from Germany, Andrew
Pete, Thanks so much for the add. You were a big influence on my guitar playing. Early Yes (Time & A Word)was my first adventure into "meaningful music" that rocked. They called/call it prog rock. I have been listening to your new material and I am enjoying it. Sorry to go back in time but it is something I won't forget. Cheers, Jim
Thank you, Peter. Great yet underestimated guitar player you are. And thank you for connecting to the Magnetic Soul ~ Love Music of Awaken, Robert. May you feel something by receiving the notes of "Beppu Nights".
Thanks for the add! I don't want to say this to loudly because I don't want any other YES fans to hear this, but I'd love to see the original YES back together. I love Wakeman, Howe, White and all that but those first two albums were great also. Would love to hear what you guys could do together again.
Hi Peter! I haved a vinyl brazilian edition of "in the can" and "out of our hands".Flash is not well-knowed in brazil,but I am a great yes fan and discover the Flash sound in late 70's,when I was a rocker teenage and mabd about progressive groups.The Empire albuns simply never passed in this country.I have a great curiosity to known this..!!You have a new project? peace!
I love the new releases, especially "Buda NoPest" I can't wait to hear more. A Jan Ackerman project? That would be excellent, too. Harmony In Diversity music? Anything, Pete!
Thanks for the add. I love the first two Yes albums and especially your playing on both. I'd like to find out more about your music and this site looks as good as any a place to start!
Peter thanks for the add, I had the privilege of meeting and jamming with you several times when you were in L.A. working with B&B agency on the Empire project, I recall sitting at home bored on a Fri. evening and getting a call from you to come up for a jam with some friends, a highlight of my younger days! If you’re ever in L.A.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the new music that you have added. Does this mean that you are releasing a new Harmony in Diversity CD? Are you guys going to be doing any touring? Thanks for all the great music you have created.
After seeing this video I had to get a copy of MARK I. Excellent stuff. I noticed that John Giblin played base on that album. John later worked with Peter Gabriel and Simple Minds. It's really funny to see how the - let's call it YES - GENESIS connection - always collaborated in different formations. And how important these guys were to rock music in general starting in the 60s Mod, Beat, and Psychedeliv bands.
Thanks Pete. Now I listen to REDUCTION. Got a copy of this one, too
Pete I feel honored writing to you, never did in my long lifetime would I ever think was possible, Your work on Yes and your own work . I do however love you work in Yes its incredible with you and Bill B was just blazing with creativity.
Just wanted to say Hi and hope all is well with you. I absolutely love your music and am hoping that you will be releasing some new work sometime in the not too distant future. You are a fantastic musician and all around great guy.
loved your playing in flash and yes since the 70s- very inspirational-glad to find you and your music here in todays networking society-peace and love-L
