Tony Banks- BBC Rock School (1986)

[900GTi]

I love how Tony is always hunched over when playing his keyboards

[Akron162]

tony banks is awsome, but keith emerson is better, and i know what you gonna say: "don't come to make polemics here" or "just listen to the music and stop making comparissions" or something like that, but hey, he really is better.

[mizmite]

he lacked so much later on without steves guitar sound 

[Mustanghands]

cool!

[frenchexperience]

how did you know? I suspect you are a musician and an intellectual. Were'nt the composers you refer to all inspired in some way by Mozart? Thank you for responding by the way.

[krissyrose14]

@frenchexperience

I figured out what you meant in context, and you are correct, I am a musician and an intellectual. Not all composers were influenced by Mozart. From my knowledge, Shostakovitch was inspired by Mahler's compositions. I am not sure of Rachmaninoff's influences, but his style is a bit more fiery and less contained sounding than Mozart. Shostakovitch has intense compositions. Mahler's compositions are very emotional sounding too.

[frenchexperience]

all just mozart really; and you know it is about evolution and l wonder why hiphop and other electronic beat shit is more popular (c'est parce que tu pense pas?), hey and l'm only 26 and er white.

[krissyrose14]

@frenchexperience I'm not clear what your comment is referring to... if it's speaking positively or negatively about the music in the video. Are you implying that the music has more classical undertones and emphasis on melody and harmony which may not reach out to a younger fanbase that is into music with more emphasis on rhythm and beat?

Also, Banks' main classical influences are Mahler, Shostakovitch, and Rachmaninoff.

[vinnykster]

( continued from my last post ) Not that theres anything wrong with over playing or indulgence. All musicians do it and its natural. But with maturity as Banks has time and time again demonstrated- TASTE is what ultimately matters in songwriting and composition.. I suppose that is why he is number one for me. He's the most tasteful player.

[MarcoWriedt]

@vinnykster We´re talking the same language mate :) totally agree

[vinnykster]

Everything he says here is basically the reason he's my favorite keyboardist. As great as Emerson and Wakeman are, to me they just don't touch Banks when it comes to composition. Lurker from Abacab is probably the BEST example of how you don't have to have the most flashy "complicated" thing goin on for it to be a great part. It's more about note selection, sound selection. Also knowing when not to play..

[LUDWIGPARIS]

Tony's contributions to Genesis and all of his solo material, as well, have been massively influential on my musical ideology.

Banks is certainly one of my favorite musical artists.

[NarcissistsDie]

Tony Banks is the accountant of the rock keyboard world. Dull as fuck as a personality but when he does his job everyone bows down to his skill.

[ElFlakoRompanTodo]

i hate that keyboard sound he started using... i rather the old sound

[redstrat8]

GARY WRIGHT HAD 3 KEYBOARDS IN HIS BAND

[giggabyt78]

god of the keybords

[johnnythelowery]

Sorry. One more!!!! Check this out.

Gentle Giant Superb menu music Intro from Kerry Minnear

Its menu music he did for their live DVD!

Absolutely brilliant

[RazielMEX]

Tony Banks is a master, I dont think I would like Genesis the same as it would be without him

The solo in "The cinema show" is genius and one of the best I've ever heard

[johnnythelowery]

@RazielMEX .. Love Genesis. But...have you heard the key players solo in this.

..IT Bites screaming on the beaches Live Tokyo...

here on Youtube.

[RazielMEX]

Never heard of them.. until now

They impressed me, however guitar seems to dominate their sound, and with Genesis the keyboards were essential

It's a great discover for me anyway, and from the 80´s!

Thanks!

[johnnythelowery]

I benefited from 2 elder brothers and 3 older sisters who all had their own collections of music. But 'prog' or 'progish' is my fav. so...here's a couple if you havn't heard it. Copy and paste this here in youtube.

Refugee - Grand Canyon Suite: The Rapids

Patrick Moraz played the keys. Let me know. Here are some more:

[johnnythelowery]

Patrick Moraz Soon

[johnnythelowery]

Greenslade - The ass's ears (1975 live)

Greenslade - Time

Greenslade - Tide

Greenslade - Catalan (the album version)

[johnnythelowery]

Prefab Sprout: Earth The Story So Far

Don't know if you know this band. They are a very clever 'pop' band. The above track is briliant with head phones. And he

'played' all the instruments on it.

[johnnythelowery]

Argent - Highwire

This track is off an album called Circus which if you are a prog. keyboard guy is a must have. It absolutely rocks. But here is a sampler. The best tracks off it have not been uploaded.

[johnnythelowery]

Regarding It Bites. Francis Dunnery, the original guitarist left so they carry on. Their keyboardist was good. Their best keys tracks is 'You'll never go to heaven'

Also, 'Old Man and the Angel Live Tokyo'

but their track 'Once Around the World' is phenomenal. It's not uploaded here but the band carried on and there is a naff version of it live here on Youtube----FYI.

[johnnythelowery]

Zero 7 - Simple Things

Don't know if you know Zero 7 but any band employing 3 keyboard players might be interesting. They go 'ambient'

but 'Simple Things' is a fantastic keyboard album (with pop songs thrown on top) and is lush, ambient and interesting.

[johnnythelowery]

Lastly....and I'll shut up now: I'm sure you know Gentle Giant. Check out these two

Gentle Giant - Moog Fugue

Gentle Giant - Experience (piano cover)

They are all great for their own reasons but Banks is my fav. player I think.

[johnnythelowery]

RazieIMEX:  Cut and paste this below into your Youtube search. You owe me cash for all this great music! Let me know what you think? Cheers in music.... Johnnny I Have Seen- Zero 7

[johnnythelowery]

Razielmex: From France..... A proto Zero7

band. Air is quite good but have a wide ranging sound but always lush and full>

Air - Cherry Blossom Girl

[Reckoner65]

Is this the series where he demonstrates how chords work by playing over the Apocalypse riff? I recall a show where he played the riff and played different chords over it, showing how to make it sound all bright and sunny or, how it ended up, darker and more foreboding. I remember being really struck by the huge difference from such a small change.

[mfnickster]

I think the one you're thinking of is from the DVD extras of "Genesis: Songbook"

[Reckoner65]

No, it's not - the thing I recall was a TV show I watched in the late 80s, and definitely featured a range of different artists

[mfnickster]

Is it this one?

watch?v=ZKYbHmBkzAw#t=7m38s

[Reckoner65]

That's it - right on the money - nice going, and thanks!

[30wonderwoman]

XOXO Oh whatta man!!

[70ripples]

superbe,mortel

[stringsgoboing]

My reaction is .........WHERE IS THE REST OF THIS STUFF??!! I remember watching this series back in 86. Wish someone would post the first series in its entirety. Still relevant today. At least series 2 is on here

[genesisinsideme]

GOD blessed his hands...

[smigbabb]

one of the most underated and talented writers ever..............

[kidneystoner88]

yes ive been saying that for years....

phil collins is also one of the most underrated DRUMMERS of all time...

[genesisinsideme]

now I agree all that you say... Tony must be reivindicated...he is the real last heroe of Genesis ... ive been saying the same for years ...

[00Dono]

Tony Banks! what would Genesis

be without him ?!

[genesisinsideme]

nothing... he is the soul of Genesis ...can be anyone live without a soul ?...we must create a fanclub for our keyboard s hero...!

[mfnickster]

Phil and the Mechanics? :)

[heliczer]

Tony Banks's stage personality - his left eyebrow :-) lol From a time when the music mattered.

[MarcoWriedt]

you are SO right...these days...every girl singer for example HAS to look like a supermodel..otherwise she´s not going to have success...

[SNKTHX2000]

An armoury of keyboards! Banks is a awesome

[zeppy215]

Tony Banks & Richard Wright from Genesis, are my favorite pianists !!

[styx49]

Does anyone know what keyboard he is using for the Slippermen solo here?

It's not an ARP Soloist is it?

[krissyrose14]

He's using an ARP Quadra.

[styx49]

Cheers mate

[SjoerdDekker]

@krissyrose14 quadra was later in time

[Kafrifelle]

@SjoerdDekker Actually, it is a Quadra, the Soloist looks nothing like this, I have both ...

[lovemusic324]

@styx49 It is an Arp Quadra

[SjoerdDekker]

@styx49 soloist it was!

[Kohntarkosz]

It's an ARP Quadra. Tony used it on the Duke, Abacab, Mama, and Invisible Touch tours.

[smigbabb]

tony is a genius and has'nt had the same recognition as clapton or brian may and other gifted music writers and has always been the back bone of genesis..............

[shishegg]

Chester was the live back bone and drums generally are the back bone.

But Tony was the main sound of genesis

[smigbabb]

could'nt agree with ya more shish.........

[WillJakeAlbarn]

He Is So Cute !!

[rafalweb]

0:33 onward....outrageous skill.

[mfnickster]

...and that's the EASY part of the solo! :)

[Jellybeantiger]

Tony Banks is my hero and I'm a drummer.

His solos in Genesis are amazing!

[rogerthehat]

whos the female guitarist at the end?

[mfnickster]

Deirdre Cartwright - she was one of the members of the show's "house band" along with Geoff Nicholls on drums, Henry Thomas on bass, and Alastair Gavin on keyboards.

[rogerthehat]

hi thanks for the info

[SPeacock]

Has anyone met Tony Banks? And if so, then what kind of guy is he?

[MisterQuebec]

This shirt is no coincidence!

[Alxscode]

Love Banks style.

[m3cyclone]

There are four great keyboardists of rock that had the biggest influence on my playing; Keith Emerson, Jon Lord, Tony Banks and Rick Wakeman. When you mention those four together in one breath, you've really said something about classic progressive rock and the part a keyboardist can play in a great band. Of course you've got to have guitarists that don't mind sharing the spotlight now and then. Long live classic rock and the great keyboard solos laid down by these and others like them!!

[mikelmart]

Sorry but I am not familiar with Jon Lord. Emerson and Wakeman were classically trained, whereas Banks was basically self taught by all of my accounts. He says that his mother was a good pianist but could only play by sheet music but Tony could play by ear and could not follow the sheet music, ironically.

[m3cyclone]

Jon Lord played the Hammond C3 for Deep Purple and created a truly awesome sound and style of his own. If you've ever heard Space Truckin', Hush or Smoke on the Water, you've heard Jon Lord. He pushed his Hammond through Marshall amps instead of Leslies to get his signature spitting and growling sound. He entered the arena with Ritchie Blackmore and gave no quarter, exchanging phrase for phrase and riff for riff; beautiful solos as well! He is one of the all time bests on rock keyboards!!!

[Franzko787]

Check out videos of Gentle Giant on youtube for keyboardist Kerry Minnear. Same era and very very good.

[amirhamra]

tony banks,friedrich nietzshe, how much of a positive energy these 2 men are still giving to the world!! my first surprise was the spirit of gravity in tony's symphonic suite (the little man in zarathustra)my second great surprise is when he mentioned beirut lebanon in the when in rome documentary dvd;i sent to tony a big hello with tony smith when he was in beirut(phil's tour), i send him now my big thanks and gratitude to all that he gave us.

[sonicdeath10]

Intersting people to have as idols. Love them both, myself, but it's amusing that they are THE two guys in your life.

[amirhamra]

thank you , that is encouraging.(my loveliest book for nietzshe is the happy science)

[framais]

This man is a legend, they don't make musicians like this nowadays anymore. Genesis with Peter Gabriel were one of the best bands in music history.

[mugwamp4]

@framais  yep!!!

[gazzo45]

@framais Hi - I disagree with you slightly. Genesis with Peter Gabriel were/are THE greatest band of all time.

[framais]

@gazzo45 :)

[SPAZZOID100]

@gazzo45

Nah...it got better with "A Trick of The Tail"--without peter

[gazzo45]

@SPAZZOID100 'A Trick of the Tail' is great - so is 'Wind & Wuthering'. After that however...

[ThroughRock]

@gazzo45 You can shut it. ATTWT and Duke are fabulous albums.

[ladyvicbanks]

Charly García tocaba con 8 teclados sin mirar.

[unamacarana]

Right from the horse's mouth.

That ARP Quadra sounds really good.

Excellent!

[InvisibleMud]

Why don't they make TV shows like this anymore?

Rockschool was great!

[MarioK20]

Because most of today's popular musicians, don't have this type of talent

[krome50]

Excellent answer !!!!! I agree 100 %

[BlackmoonUK]

What MaroK21 said, exactly! Who needs talent when you can have mass-produced computer generated dross?

I still require talent in the music I listen to. Tony is one of my idols, he's a great guy and a genius with the keys!

[pauleyh]

wut song is he playing and is it a genesis song

[krissyrose14]

The Raven from The Colony of Slippermen in the Lyceum 1980 show from the Duke tour. It is a Genesis song.

[ozzierex]

ONE OF THE BEST.KEEP GOING TONY.

[CelticReject]

This is great. I remember this programe very well. Especially when they interviewed Neil Peart of Rush during the drum lesson show. Cannot recall who they used during the guitar lesson show though? Anyway thanks for posting.

[HairyBosch]

Think it was Gary Moore.

[CelticReject]

Gary Moore, yes I remember it now. Thanks

[Ursulauu]

Tony Banks is the Keyboard King!

He is a truly remarkable gifted musician and songwriter!

[BradfordMan]

indeed

[valliseasons1]

cool. love this clip. its slipperman from the lyceum show!! got it on bootleg dvd!!! amazing concert, full of funny moments!!!

thanks for posting

[ssutton12345]

At last postings of the BBC "Rock School" series. I see your tape copy has worn out as well ! I have both of the series on tape, but the the first one is showing signs of wear due to playing it too much. Does anyone know if the BBC put them out on DVD, as they are fantastic turorials for all budding musicians ?

[tranecol]

THIS IS NOT IMPROVISED! IT IS EXACTLY AS IT IS IN THE RECORD. And repeated in every performance. Do you at least understand the difference bewteen an improvisation and being a solist in a song? Genesis almost never improvised, and Tony less than any of the others. Their music is fantastic anyway.

[silvertree07]

It's exactly what Banks is explaining !

[sonicdeath10]

Interesting.

[ladyvicbanks]

Tony you are beautifoul and so sexy... Banks I Love You :)

Thanks for the video Krissyrose :D