Darrell Banks was an American soul singer whose vibrant voice and energetic performing style made him a legend among fans of soul music who revered him long after his early death at the age of 32. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, he sang spiritual music in church until he changed direction as a teenager after he heard R&B singer Hank Ballard's funky song 'Annie Had a Baby'. His parents never married and after high school, Banks moved to be close to his father in Buffalo, New York. There, he gained experience with local bands before being urged to move to Detroit, home of many growing record labels.
The Solid Hitbound production company signed Banks and he co-wrote his first single, originally titled 'Baby Walk Right In' but known as 'Open the Door to Your Heart'. Praised still as one of the best of the era's soul tracks, the single went to number two on the R&B Chart and number 27 on the Pop Chart, boosted by a lively flip side titled 'Our Love (Is in the Pocket)'. Upon its UK release, 'Open the Door to Your Heart' became an instant hit in clubs and has remained popular with fans of Northern Soul.
Banks released eight more singles, including 'Just Because Your Love Is Gone' in 1969, and two albums, 'Darrell Banks Is Here' (1967) and 'Here to Stay' (1969). In February 1970, Banks, whose career had faltered, was shot and killed by an off-duty police officer over an argument about the singer's girlfriend, who had been seeing another man. His unmarked grave was later given a memorial stone.
