10 Unlucky Musicians Who Narrowly Missed Out On Making It Big
8. Peter Banks - Yes
Before the success of their single Roundabout in 1971, and their resurgence in 1983 thanks to the success of Owner Of A Lonely Heart and 90125, Yes were just another band in late '60s London trying to find their niche.
Consisting of singer Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Bill Bruford, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and guitarist Peter Banks, the early years of Yes were spent refining their craft and recording two albums, 1969's Yes, and 1970's Time And A Word. During the Time And A Word sessions, Banks, who had named the future stadium act Yes, was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the quintet's musical direction.
Just three months before the album's release, Banks left Yes to be replaced by Steve Howe, who would aid in the group's rise to fame with their third album. Released in 1971, The Yes Album was the prog act's long awaited breakthrough LP, reaching number 4 in the UK Charts, and eventually selling over one million copies.
After narrowly missing the big time, Banks spent the rest of his career as a session guitarist, but never reached the dizzying heights achieved by his formed bandmates in Yes.