In a shocking turn of events, the body of Peter Banks — co-founder of the group Yes, and someone dubbed an architect of progressive music by the BBC — reportedly remains unclaimed.
Banks, who appeared on Yes’ initial two studio efforts, died on Thursday, March 7, 2013, though this went undiscovered until Friday, when he didn’t appear for scheduled studio time. The 65-year-old was at work on a new live project focusing on his post-Yes band Flash, which issued a trio of albums in the early 1970s.
[MARCH 24, 2013 UPDATE: Manager George Mizer is planning a celebration of the life and legacy of Peter Banks, after a lengthy struggle to complete the original Yes guitarist’s final arrangements.]
News of Banks death at his North London home, apparently of a heart attack, didn’t finally become widely known until early Tuesday morning. Tributes then flowed in from members of Yes, and former collaborators like Genesis alum Steve Hackett, among others. At one point, Banks’ passing had trended to the top of all Yahoo searches.
Still, his body has remained in the morgue, according to long-time manager George Mizer via Facebook. Banks, Mizer says, has no family and his ex-wife — presumably Cecilia Quino — doesn’t wish to get involved, so any possible funeral plans are at a stand still. Banks was also previously married to Sidonie Jordan, who worked with him on the Empire band project.
The situation will soon become dire, with Banks’ body cremated and his belongings confiscated. Mizer is asking that fans and other interested parties donate funds toward fees to cover needed arrangements. Banks’ belongings could also reportedly be auctioned to help defray costs.
Mizer has set up a PayPal account for donations in his own name at: [email protected].
Banks first met Yes stalwart Chris Squire when both were in an early band called the Syn. After a disagreement over orchestration of 1970’s sophomore release Time and a Word, Banks split with Yes to work with the bands Flash, Empire and Harmony in Diversity, among others. Banks also released five solo albums, including his well-regarded 1973 debut, working with Asia/King Crimson alum John Wetton, and Genesis’ Phil Collins and Hackett along the way. More recently, Banks participated in a series of collaborations with Billy James and ANT-BEE, as well as Cleopatra Records and producer Billy Sherwood, himself a fellow former member of Yes.
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This is one of the most depressing things I have ever heard in my entire life…NOBODY deserves this.
I’m the wife of Pete’s Flash bandmate, Ray Bennett. Pete had been in ailing health for some time, apparently relating to serious teeth problems and infection which he had been warned about but left untreated. We assume the infection finally poisoned his system causing his heart to fail.
Ray and lead Flash singer, Colin Carter, were shocked to hear the news. They rarely communicated after a long, difficult relationship that caused the original band breakup and resurfaced when talks of a reunion began. Pete’s troubled ways continued to the end and seem to have left him quite alone. Sad.
Think whoever’s making money selling the albums Banks played on – and being advertised at the end of this piece – could pony up some funeral expense money? geez…
At this point, he’s dead and it really doesn’t matter what happens to his carcass and stuff.
If he had cared, he’d have made arrangements. Respect that.