Darrell Banks

Darrell Banks
Background information
Birth nameDarrell Eubanks
Born(1937-07-25)July 25, 1937
Mansfield, Ohio, U.S.
DiedFebruary 24, 1970(1970-02-24) (aged 32)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresSoul, northern soul
OccupationSinger
Years activeUntil 1970
LabelsRevilot, Stax, Atco, Atlantic

Darrell Banks (born Darrell Eubanks; July 25, 1937 – February 24, 1970) was an American soul singer. He had a hit with 1966's "Open the Door to Your Heart".

Background

Born in Mansfield, Ohio,[1] Banks grew up in Buffalo, New York, and learned to sing in gospel churches before choosing a career in secular music. He signed with Solid Hitbound Productions/Revilot Records, who released his 1966 single "Open the Door to Your Heart"[1] (which, curiously, is legally named "Baby Walk Right In"), written by Donnie Elbert.[2] When the single came out, Banks was credited as the songwriter instead of Elbert, and a protracted legal battle ensued; however, while the courts settled the matter (eventually in Elbert's favor), the tune scaled the US charts, peaking at No. 2 R&B and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A second single, "Somebody (Somewhere) Needs You",[1] hit No. 34 R&B and No. 55 pop later that year.[3] Moving to Atco Records, he released the singles "Here Come the Tears" / "I've Got That Feelin" and "Angel Baby (Don't Ever Leave Me)" / "Look into the Eyes of a Fool" in 1967, neither of which charted.[1] Atco also released an album of his which included his Revilot singles. Atco subsidiary Cotillion Records released his last single under the Atlantic Records umbrella, "I Wanna Go Home" / "The Love of My Woman".

From there, Banks signed to Stax Records, who released another album of his in 1969 and two more non-charting singles. They would be Banks's last recordings; in February 1970, Banks was shot and killed by policeman Aaron Bullock in Detroit, Michigan, after Banks intervened in his affair with Banks's girlfriend, Marjorie Bozeman.[2]

In 2014 an online auction of the London Records pressing of "Open the Door to Your Heart" saw bids exceed £10,000. It was believed to be the only copy in circulation, the remainder of the stock having been destroyed when the rival label EMI won the rights to release the single.[4] It eventually sold for in excess of £14,000 (US$23,000).[5] Bank's recording of "Just Because Your Love Is Gone", released as a single on Stax Records in 1969 is also collectable, with Record Collector magazine listing its value at £100 in mint condition, although in 2009 a copy actually sold for twice that amount.[6]

Discography

  • Darrell Banks Is Here! (Atco Records, 1967)
  • Darrell Is Here to Stay (Stax Records, 1969)
  • The Lost Soul (compilation, 1997)

References

  1. ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 15. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  2. ^ a b Biography, AllMusic
  3. ^ "Darrell Banks Songs • Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Musicvf.com.
  4. ^ "Soul fans in a spin over rare record". Bbc.co.uk. December 15, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  5. ^ "Rare Darrell Banks Vinyl Sells For $23,000". Contactmusic.com. December 22, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2019.[permanent dead link‍]
  6. ^ "DARRELL BANKS JUST BECAUSE YOUR LOVE IS GONE STAX 1969 - auction details". Popsike.com. Retrieved August 15, 2019.