Willie Banks

Willie Banks (1929–1993) was an American gospel singer and songwriter who led the gospel quartet Willie Banks and the Messengers. Born in Raymond, Mississippi, he began his professional music career with the Jackson Southernaires. Around 1971, he left that group to form his own ensemble, initially called Willie Banks and His Southernaires and later known as Willie Banks and the Messengers. His vocal style blended melodic runs, rough-edged shouting, and a preacher-like sense of pacing.

In 1981, Banks survived a serious vehicle accident that claimed the life of a group member and left him in critical condition. After his recovery, he dedicated his music to themes of faith and God’s goodness. He signed with Malaco Records in 1988.

Among his releases were Heaven Must Be a Beautiful Place (1973), God’s Goodness, Show Me the Way, For the Wrong I’ve Done (1979), God Is Still In Charge, Look At the Blessings, I’m On The Battlefield For My Lord, and Too Late. The title track of For the Wrong I’ve Done earned a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Soul Performance. His albums God’s Goodness and Show Me the Way also appeared on the Billboard Best Selling Gospel/Spiritual LPs chart.