Billy Preston

[edit] Guide Note

Billy Preston was a soul musician and composer. He was Grammy's winner and collaborator of several major artists like the Rolling Stones, Elton John, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers among others. He was also known as a "Fifth Beatle".

[edit] Fast Facts

1. Birth name: William Everett Preston
2. Born: September 2, 1946
3. Died: June 6, 2006
4. Origin: Houston, Texas
5. Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Funk,
6. Active: 1950s — 2005
7. Record Label: Capitol Records
8. He won the Grammy award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.
9. Preston was arrested and convicted for insurance fraud.
10. He was addict to the alcohol and cocaine.

[edit] Partial Discography

• 1965: The Most Exciting Organ Ever
• 1969: That's the Way God Planned It
• 1970: Encouraging Words
• 2001: Music From My Heart

[edit] Career

Preston was a child prodigy. In the early age of 10, took his first steps into show business playing the organ with the diva Mahalia Jackson and two years later appeared in the film St. Louis Blues. His first experience with rock came when accompanied Little Richards in a European tour and in the age of 16, recorded his first album The 16 Years Old Soul. Although he have been highlighted for being the "sideman" of important names in the history of R&B and rock, Preston also obtained successes as soloist. Songs like "Will It Go Round in Circles", "Nothing From Nothing", "Space Race" or the immortal "Outta Space", reached the top 1 on the lists of U.S. sales. In recent years, he was praised by critics for his interpretation of "My Sweet Lord" in a tribute concert to his dear friend George Harrison. On June 6, 2006 Preston died in Arizona owed of complications of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure.

[edit] Fifth Beatle

He met The Beatles while on tour in Little Richard's band in 1962. George Harrison, who knew Preston for some time, decided to invite him as keyboardist for to help record their album Let it be. The Beatles decided to accredit the single "Get back" under the signature "The Beatles with Billy Preston". He participated in the recording of Let It Be and the songs "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Something" from Abbey Road.