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.

[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.

[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.