She was born Bessie White in New Bern, North Carolina, and later raised in Brooklyn, New York City.
While a member of the group, she met singer Larry Banks; they married on stage at the Royal Theatre in Baltimore around 1955.
[2] She performed and recorded as Toni Banks during the mid-1950s, including the 1957 single "You're Still in My Heart", on which she was backed by the Four Fellows.
[3] In 1959, she and Larry recorded as members of the Companions, releasing a single "Why Oh Why Baby" on the Federal label.
The Moody Blues' version was released in November (in the UK), and in the United States the following January.
She returned to the studio in early 1967, recording the single "I Can't Make It (Without You Baby)" for the Verve label.
[6] At that time, it was reported that Bessie Banks "continues to sing though she confines herself to gospel music now.