Drummer Bill Ward Writes Poem For Peter Banks

Best known for his innovative and unique guitar work with Yes and Flash, as well as his own critically acclaimed solo albums, guitar legend Peter Banks passed away at his home in London on March 8th.

Former Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has written a poem in his memory.

Says Ward: “Because of the seemingly bleak circumstances and limited information about the death of Peter Banks, I reacted quite sadly to the news and felt driven to write this poem.

A Poem for Peter Banks

How can this be

I didn’t plan for it to be like this

Mine was a far more grandiose end.

Aloneness in life

Aloneness in death

Who will say a kind word,

Have I pushed you all away, so much I cannot be recognized

Will no one stand for me, now, in these moments of closure, and passing.

It isn’t cold anymore,

And hunger has left me

My predicaments still undone in life, are somehow in death solved.

I can no longer hear silence, is there no one to champion me

One voice will be enough

I’m worth something, it’ll mean everything to me

Dark shadows betray me not, seek another in ruin, to commit your slanderous verbiage upon

Leave me, rant and drag down and complete your next victim’s demise

Your emptiness is un-radiant.

No matter what I’ve done

Or who I became

When one voice speaks

The loneliness cannot circle me

When one voice validates me

I can rest in peace”