Gordon Banks
Bio
An Interesting Journey…
continued
Born in the north-east of England, he moved to Scotland in his very early teens following the death of his father due to a mining related illness. Gordon was brought up by his Mum who he loved to bits and who did everything she could to support her family in difficult and sad situations.
In Scotland the name Gordon Banks was synonymous with the auld enemy and could often be a challenge to a young Gordon.
From first seriously picking up a guitar at about 13, he made his debut public appearance a year later in Sauchie Parish Church Hall along with his elder brother Stuart.
The duo developed into a regular working two-guitar duo in pubs and clubs in Central Scotland.
Working through their agent the boys were introduced as up and coming artists to the Scottish music duo Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor who also worked under the same management.
Gordon recalls, “These experiences stay with you and are character building, but we worked a lot and it certainly helped to rapidly improve your skills.”
Even in these very early days Stuart and Gordon were writing songs and occasionally performing them live given a chance. Gordon wrote his first “decent” song, ‘White nights in St Petersburg’ when he was 16.
The duo developed into a three piece ‘The Hutchison Smith Band’ with Gordon on drums, Stuart on guitar and Jim Thomson on bass.
Says Gordon, “We wanted to get a bit more activity into our sets and formed a band without a drummer so…I became a drummer.”
This set up last a short while and then Gordon began teaming up with other local musicians. He formed another guitar-based cover duo with Davie Smith and continued to work regularly throughout Scotland, even donning kaftans…to be different.
A spell then with another Davie…this time old school pal Davie Paterson, saw Davie, a professionally trained classical musician of top quality enter the live performance of modern music for the first time.
Davie was a gifted keyboard player and the two worked in Scotland’s pubs but even venturing as far as Carlisle…not far from where Gordon had lived…to play in a venue that would be amusing to Gordon in later life…Carlisle Conservative Club!!!
The pair were offered a 4 week tour of Norway, but giving up permanent jobs for this experience was too big a step.