Anthony George Banks was born on the 27th March 1950, in East Hoathly, Sussex, England, and is a musician, best known as the keyboardist and one of the founding members of the band Genesis. His career started in 1967.
Have you ever wondered how rich Tony Banks is, as of early 2017? According to authoritative sources, it has been estimated that Banks’s net worth is as high as $50 million, an amount earned through his successful career in music.
Tony Banks Net Worth $50 Million
Tony Banks was one of five siblings of parents Nora and John Banks. His music talent was noticed early, when he mastered various musical instruments, starting with classical training in piano, followed by self-taught guitar. However, keyboard instruments proved best suited to his style, as his career with Genesis would show. Banks attended Charterhouse School, after which he planned to pursue a career in math, physics and chemistry. Still, his love of music and newfound friendship with fellow student, Peter Gabriel, pushed him to form a rock band called The Garden Wall, with him on keyboard, Gabriel as the lead singer, and Chris Stewart as the drummer. They soon merged with their competition at school, another rock band named The Anon, and comprised of guitarists Mike Rutherford and Anthony Phillips.
The newly formed project, which was named Genesis, released their first studio album in 1969, with Decca Records. The album was called “From Genesis to Revelation”, and spawned a single “The Silent Sun” (1968), written by Banks, and Peter Gabriel. However, neither the album nor the song was successful, and the band parted ways and went on a short hiatus. Not giving up on his dreams of a music career, Banks pushed for the group to tour, while preparing new material. The band signed with Charisma Records after being noticed by Tony Stratton-Smith during one of their live shows. They released their second studio album for the label, entitled “Trespass” (1970), and Banks was featured prominently on this album, both as songwriter, and because the keyboard took center stage in many songs, particularly in the best received number from the album, “The Knife”, which opened with Banks’s solo. The album wasn’t well-received, being deemed too uneven by the critics.
Nonetheless, the band continued to gain prominence with their live shows, and gather an audience.
The band finally achieved critical and commercial success with their fourth studio album “Foxtrot” (1972), with Banks once again credited as songwriter, besides playing Hammond organ, Mellotron, piano, electric piano, 12-string guitar, and providing back-up vocals. Throughout the existence of Genesis, he remained the most consistent band member, along with Mike Rutherford. He recorded fifteen studio albums with them, as well as several EPs and live albums. Some of the most successful ones, critically and commercially, were “Abacab” (1981), the self-titled “Genesis” (1983), and “We Can’t Dance” (1991), which contributed steadily to his net worth.
On the side, Banks also tried to develop a solo career, though it always remained in the shadow of Genesis. He released five albums, but achieved only modest success. His best received entry was 1983 “The Fugitive”, which Banks also produced, with the album certified gold. Banks also composed film scores for movies such as “The Wicked Lady” (1983) and “Quicksilver” (1986), starring Kevin Bacon. He continues to tour with Genesis, and most recently, he released a classical album “Six Pieces for Orchestra” (2012).
Regarding his personal life, Banks has been married to Margaret McBain since 1972; together they have two children, and the couple resides in London.
Live at Wembley Stadium, Genesis: The Genesis Songbook, Genesis: In Concert, Genesis: Up Close and Personal
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Quote
1
[in 1984] In the States obviously we're playing big places all the time, between 10 and 20 thousand people, and in order to look like something in those kind of size halls you've got to put on some kind of a show, and a lot of equipment, and it does cost a lot to carry it around.
2
[on Phil Collins] I think he gets an undeserved amount of stick but it seems to be there are certain people who get that in all fields of entertainment.
3
If you get too popular then, yes, you're going to be seen to sell out. But selling out to me implies doing something which you don't believe in and you're compromising in certain ways, and I never did that.
4
[on "Shortcut to Somewhere", his collaboration with Marillion singer Fish in 1986] I like the voice although it obviously bears a lot of resemblance to Peter (Peter Gabriel) - but a lot of that is down to the choice of words and things. In fact he's got a versatile voice but he doesn't try to sound like Peter - that's just the way it comes out - I've been watching him doing it. For example, the song we've got is reminiscent of something almost off 'The Lamb', it works quite well. Unfortunately the Americans seemed less keen on it because they had no idea who Fish was, and the fact that anyone should be called Fish was even stranger still! But over here - well we'll see when the album comes out - it may be taken more seriously. It's a good song and I'd like to see it do something.
5
[on Genesis's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010)] I don't feel a great need to play. I'm happy just to drink.
6
The idea of writing for an orchestra had been in my mind since the recording of the music soundtrack for the film The Wicked Lady (1983). At that time I had an existing piano piece which became the main theme, that took on a whole new character when it was orchestrated. This inspired me to want to create more music this way using only an orchestra.
7
Once we were down to a three-piece with Phil (Phil Collins) as a fully participating songwriter, we started writing everything in the studio. And the songs tended to be more spontaneous. It seemed to bring out the best in us, individually and collectively.
8
It's funny how seriously most people take lyrics. I consider lyrics secondary to music, barring an exception like Paul Simon, who writes great lyrics. This group is as popular as it is because of the music.
9
I think of all the albums I have heard in recent years I'm always surprised by 'And Then There Were Three'. I like it more than I think I'm going to. I sometimes dismiss it from my mind, but it contains three of the best songs I've written for the band.
10
I have always loved classical music and the sound of an orchestra.
11
My role is definitely as a writer. I'm not a very natural performer.
12
There's an awful lot of people out there who like us, it's just a matter of finding them.
13
[speaking in 2004] We don't seem to have many friends. If we're played on the radio now, it's only four or five hits we had in the eighties. That's Genesis as far as most people are concerned.
14
I think the fact that we (Genesis) were all in our thirties by the time we became really successful was a great help. To this day we've never had an argument about money.
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Fact
1
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010.
2
Used parts of his rejected 2010 score for Starship, he also did it for free as it was a low-budget film.
3
Was passed the script to The Terminator but had to turn it down due to working on 2010.
4
The only time he has played his solo material live was a minute and a half of Shortcut To Somewhere as part of a Genesis medley at Atlantic records birthday bash on 14th May 1988. However there was a tribute band called Strictly Banks who played a gig on 6th September 1998 and released an album called "Strictly Banks A Serious Undertaking" which was mixed at Genesis' studio "The Farm".
5
Enjoys golfing and gardening. He owns an eight-acre garden in Surrey.
6
His wife Margaret advised him to lose the laugh on the Genesis song "Mama" because she though it sounded terrible.
7
Has a fear of flying.
8
Instruments Banks has used include the Hammond L-122 tonewheel organ, Hohner Pianet, Mellotron Mk II, Hammond T-102 tonewheel organ, ARP ProSoloist synthesizer, Mellotron 400, RMI Electra 368 electronic piano, ARP 2600 synthesizer, Roland RS-202 string synthesizer, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Yamaha CP70 electric grand piano, Moog Polymoog synthesizer, Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer, ARP Quadra synthesizer, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 (rev 2) synthesizer, Roland VP-330 vocoder and choir/string synth, Sequential Circuits Prophet-10 synthesizer, EDP Wasp synthesizer, NED Synclavier II digital synthesizer, E-mu Emulator digital sampler, Yamaha DX7 digital synthesizer, Akai S900 digital sampler, Roland MKS-80 synthesizer, Korg DVP voice processor, Yamaha TX816 synthesizer, Korg Wavestation synthesizer, Roland JD-800 synthesizer, Ensoniq SD1 synthesizer, Roland MK-80 digital piano / mother keyboard, Roland VK-1000 digital organ / electric piano, Ensoniq VFX synthesizer, Yamaha CP80 electric grand piano, E-mu Emulator Three sampler, Kurzweil 1000PX digital piano module, Alesis MMT-8 sequencer, Korg Trinity synthesizer, Roland JV-1080 rack synthesizer and Roland A-90 mother keyboard.
His favorite Genesis album is "Duke". His second favorite is "Wind & Wuthering".
19
Founded the band "The Garden Wall" with Peter Gabriel and drummer Chris Stewart. They were only 15 and in boarding school when they formed the group. They joined with Anthony Phillips and Mike Rutherford who had a band called "The Anon", forming Genesis with drummer Chris Stewart. Steve Hackett and Phil Collins were hired later to replace Phillips and drummer John Mayhew, respectively.
20
His return to his classical roots, the album "Seven: A Suite for Orchestra", is released, with new Banks solo compositions performed by the London Philharmonic. [March 2004]
21
Studied Chemistry and Logic with Physics at Sussex University. Left before graduating to start his career in music.
22
In 1999 he reunited with his former Genesis band-mates Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford and Steve Hackett for a re-recording of the Genesis song "The Carpet Crawlers" (originally from their 1974 album "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway"), which appears on the Genesis compilation "Turn it on Again".
23
He is a classically trained pianist.
24
He has collaborated with Marillion singer Fish on the songs "Shortcut to Somewhere" (from the soundtrack to the film Quicksilver (1986)), "Angel Face" and "Another Murder of a Day".
Video Game writer: "So You Want to Be a Gangster" - as Anthony Banks
American Idol
2012
TV Series writer - 1 episode
American Dad!
2012
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Metal Evolution
2012
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
Todd's Pop Song Reviews
2010-2011
TV Series documentary writer - 2 episodes
Genesis: When in Rome
2008
Video lyrics: "Home By The Sea", "Second Home By The Sea", "Domino" / writer: "Duke's Intro [Behind The Lines/Duke's End]", "Turn It On Again", "No Son of Mine", "Land of Confusion", "In The Cage Medley [In The Cage, The Cinema Show, Duke's Travels]", "Afterglow", "Hold On My Heart", "Home By The Sea", "Second Home By The Sea", "Follow You Follow Me", "Firth of Fifth", "I Know What I Like In Your Wardrobe", "Mama", "Ripples", "Throwing It All Away", "Domino", "Los Endos", "Tonight, Tonight, Toni
Grand Theft Auto IV
2008
Video Game writer: "Mama"
Willkommen Österreich
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
2007
writer: "Follow You, Follow Me"
The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury
2006
TV Movie documentary performer: "Jesus He Knows Me" / writer: "Jesus He Knows Me"
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
2006
Video Game writer: "Turn It on Again"
Ha-Shminiya
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Room 101
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cold Case
2004
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Top Ten
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2001 writer - 1 episode, 2001
American Psycho
2000
writer: "In Too Deep"
Wild Flowers
1997
writer: "Carpet Crawlers" - as Anothony Banks
The Eighth Day
1996
writer: "Jesus He Knows Me"
Top of the Pops
TV Series writer - 5 episodes, 1977 - 1996 music - 1 episode, 1978
Tohuwabohu
1994-1995
TV Series writer - 5 episodes
David Copperfield: 15 Years of Magic
1994
TV Special documentary writer: "Mama"
Monte Video
1994
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Palm Harbor Vice 2: Brotherhood of the Monkey
1993
writer: "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight"
The Magic of David Copperfield XV: Fires of Passion
1993
TV Movie writer: "Mama"
Genesis: The Way We Walk - Live in Concert
1993
Video documentary lyrics: "Fading Lights", "Home By The Sea", "Domino" / music: "Land of Confusion", "No Son Of Mine", "Driving The Last Spike", "Fading Lights", "Jesus He Knows Me", "Dreaming While You Sleep", "Home By The Sea", "Hold On My Heart", "Domino", "I Can't Dance", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", "Invisible Touch", "Turn It On Again" / writer: "Old Medley"
Otto - Der Liebesfilm
1992
writer: "I Can't Dance"
Genesis: Live at Wembley Stadium
1988
Video lyrics: "Domino", "Home By The Sea" / writer: "Mama", "Abacab", "Domino", "That's All", "The Brazilian", "Land of Confusion", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight", "Throwing It All Away", "Home By The Sea", "Invisible Touch", "Los Endos", "Turn It On Again", "Do The Neurotic"
Video documentary writer: "Abacab", "That's All", "Mama", "Illegal Alien", "Home By The Sea", "Second Home By The Sea", "Keep It Dark", "It's Gonna Get Better", "In The Cage", "The Cinema Show", "...In That Quiet Earth", "Supperman", "Afterglow", "Turn It On Again"
Phil Collins: Live at Perkins Palace
1983
Video writer: "Behind The Lines"
Derrick
1978
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Sing Street
2016
writer: "Paperlate" - as Anthony Banks
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
2015
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Genesis: The Video Show
2004
Video
Quicksilver
1986
Starship
1984
The Wicked Lady
1983
The Genesis Concert Movie
1977
Documentary
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
1987
Short
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Disturbed: Land of Confusion
2009
Short
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Shout
1978
composer: theme & incidental music - as Anthony Banks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Genesis: Together and Apart
2014
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The One Show
2014
TV Series
Himself
Breakfast
2007-2012
TV Series
Himself
I'm in a Rock 'n' Roll Band
2010
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Prog Rock Britannia
2009
TV Movie
Himself
Genesis: Members Only
2008
Himself
Genesis: When in Rome
2008
Video
Himself - Keyboards and Backing Vocals
Come Rain or Shine
2008
Documentary
Himself
Na plovárne
2007
TV Series
Himself
Seven Ages of Rock
2007
TV Series documentary
Himself
Genesis: The Video Show
2004
Video
Himself
This Is Your Life
1988-2003
TV Series documentary
Himself
Phil Collins: A Life Less Ordinary
2002
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Interviewee
The Genesis Songbook
2001
Video
Himself
Top Ten
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself - Interviewee
Behind the Music
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
Classic Albums: Phil Collins - Face Value
1999
Video documentary
Himself
Power Vision - Pop Galerie
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
Genesis: The Way We Walk - Live in Concert
1993
Video documentary
Himself (keyboards, vocals)
The 1992 Billboard Music Awards
1992
TV Special
Himself - Musical Guest
Wetten, dass..?
1991
TV Series
Himself
Genesis: A History
1990
Video documentary
Genesis: Live at Wembley Stadium
1988
Video
Himself - Keyboards
Genesis: The Invisible Touch Tour
1987
Documentary short
Himself
Genesis: The Mama Tour
1984
Video documentary
Himself - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
The Making of the Mama Album
1983
Documentary
Himself - Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Three Sides Live
1981
Documentary
Himself - Keyboards & Backing Vocals
The Old Grey Whistle Test
1980
TV Series
Himself - Keyboards
The Genesis Concert Movie
1977
Documentary
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1988
Most Performed Song from a Film
BMI Film & TV Awards
Mona Lisa (1986)
Known for movies
American Psycho (2000) as Soundtrack
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007) as Soundtrack