R.I.P.: Peter Banks Co-Founder of Group Yes

Peter Banks

Co-founding Yes guitarist, Peter Banks, died on March 8th of heart failure.

He was 65.

Banks, who joined forces with bassist Chris Squire in 1965 when he joined the Syn, not only named Yes, but designed its original logo.

He appeared on the group's first two albums, 1969's Yes and 1970's Time And A Word. He was replaced by Steve Howe in 1970. He went on to form the bands Flash and Empire, along with performing with such bands as Harmony And Diversity, Prog Collective, ANT-BEE, and Days Between Stations.

His 1973 solo album Two Sides Of Peter Banks featured contributions from such prog legends as Genesis' Phil Collins and Steve Hackett, King Crimson's John Wetton, and Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman.

Widely considered a pioneer of progressive rock guitar, his loss was mourned in a statement by fellow band members from Yes, which was formed in 1968. "We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of fellow bandmate and founding Yes member, Peter Banks," the statement said.