Billy Preston
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William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B,
rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...
,
soul In many religious and philosophical traditions, there is a belief that a soul is "the immaterial aspect or essence of a human being". Etymology The Modern English noun '' soul'' is derived from Old English ''sāwol, sāwel''. The earliest atte ...
, funk, and
gospel Gospel originally meant the Christian message (" the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words a ...
. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke,
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
,
the Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 193 ...
, Reverend James Cleveland,
the Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developmen ...
and
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...
. He gained attention as a solo artist with hit singles such as " That's the Way God Planned It", the Grammy-winning " Outa-Space", "
Will It Go Round in Circles "Will It Go Round in Circles" is a song by American soul musician Billy Preston from his 1972 album '' Music Is My Life''. It was written by Preston and Bruce Fisher and released as a single in March 1973. The record topped the ''Billboard'' Hot ...
", "
Space Race The Space Race was a 20th-century competition between two Cold War rivals, the United States and the Soviet Union, to achieve superior spaceflight capability. It had its origins in the ballistic missile-based nuclear arms race between the t ...
", " Nothing from Nothing", and "
With You I'm Born Again "With You I'm Born Again" is a 1979 duet written by Carol Connors and David Shire that originated on the soundtrack of the 1979 motion picture ''Fast Break''. It was performed by Motown recording artists Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright (credit ...
". Additionally, Preston co-wrote "
You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, '' The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English sing ...
", which became a #5 hit for Joe Cocker. Preston is the only non-Beatle musician to be given a credit on a Beatles recording at the band's request; the group's 1969 single "
Get Back "Get Back" is a song recorded by the British rock band the Beatles and Billy Preston, and written by Paul McCartney though credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. It was originally released as a single on 11 April 1969 and credited to ...
" was credited as "The Beatles with Billy Preston". He continued to record and perform with George Harrison after the Beatles' breakup, along with other artists such as Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones on many of the group's albums and tours during the 1970s. On May 12, 2021, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that Preston would be inducted with the Musical Excellence Award.


Life and career


Early life

Preston was born September 2, 1946, in
Houston Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 i ...
but moved to Los Angeles as a child with his mother, Robbie Lee Williams. Noted as a child prodigy, Preston was entirely self-taught and never had a music lesson. By the age of ten, he was playing organ onstage backing several gospel singers such as
Mahalia Jackson Mahalia Jackson ( ; born Mahala Jackson; October 26, 1911 – January 27, 1972) was an American gospel singer, widely considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century. With a career spanning 40 years, Jackson was integral to ...
. At 11, Preston appeared on an episode of
Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...
's
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TV show singing the
Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...
hit "
Blueberry Hill "Blueberry Hill" is a popular American song published in 1940, best remembered for its 1950s rock and roll version by Fats Domino. The music was written by Vincent Rose, the lyrics by Larry Stock and Al Lewis. It was recorded six times in 1940 ...
" with Cole. He also appeared in ''
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'', the 1958
W. C. Handy William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 – March 28, 1958) was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the Father of the Blues. Handy was one of the most influential songwriters in the United States. One of many musici ...
biopic starring
Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...
; Preston played with Handy at a younger age. In 1962, Preston joined Little Richard's band as an organist, and it was while performing in
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that he met the Beatles. In 1963, he played the organ on Sam Cooke's '' Night Beat'' album and released his own debut album, ''16 Yr. Old Soul'', for Cooke's
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label. In 1965, he released the album '' The Most Exciting Organ Ever'' and performed on the rock and roll show ''
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' band. Following this exposure, several musicians began asking Preston to contribute to their sessions.


The Beatles

Preston is among those sometimes known as the "
Fifth Beatle The fifth Beatle is an informal title that has been applied to people who were at one point a member of the Beatles or who had a strong association with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. The "fifth Beatle" claims fi ...
". After befriending the group in 1962, Preston joined the ''Get Back'' sessions in January 1969. (At one point
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
proposed the idea of having Preston join the band;
Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...
countered it was difficult enough reaching agreements with four.) Preston played organ and electric piano for the Beatles during several of the ''Get Back'' sessions; some of these sessions appeared in the film ''
Let It Be Let It Be most commonly refers to: * ''Let It Be'' (Beatles album), the Beatles' final studio album, released in 1970 * "Let It Be" (Beatles song), the title song from the album It may also refer to: Film and television * ''Let It Be'' (1970 ...
'' and on its companion album. Footage of their collaboration also appeared in the 2021 documentary '' The Beatles: Get Back'' directed by Peter Jackson. Preston also accompanied the band on electric piano for its rooftop concert, the group's final public appearance. In April 1969, their single "
Get Back "Get Back" is a song recorded by the British rock band the Beatles and Billy Preston, and written by Paul McCartney though credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. It was originally released as a single on 11 April 1969 and credited to ...
" was credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston", the only time an artist was credited as a co-performer with The Beatles after the band started recording as independent artists. The credit was bestowed by the Beatles to reflect the extent of Preston's presence on the track; his electric piano is prominent throughout and he plays an extended solo. Preston also worked, in a more limited role, on the 1969 ''
Abbey Road ''Abbey Road'' is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It is the last album the group started recording, although '' Let It Be'' was the last album completed before the band's break-up in April 1970. It was mostly ...
'' album, contributing organ to the tracks "
I Want You (She's So Heavy) "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by John Lennon (credited to Lennon–McCartney). The song closes side one of their 1969 album '' Abbey Road'' and features Billy Preston playing the organ. It ...
" and "
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". In 1978, he appeared as Sgt. Pepper in
Robert Stigwood Robert Colin Stigwood (16 April 1934 – 4 January 2016) was an Australian-born British-resident music entrepreneur, film producer and impresario, best known for managing Cream (band), Cream, Andy Gibb and the Bee Gees, theatrical productions ...
's film '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'', which was based on the Beatles' album of the same name, and sang and danced to "Get Back" as the penultimate song.


Post-Beatles solo career

Signed to the Beatles'
Apple An apple is an edible fruit produced by an apple tree (''Malus domestica''). Apple trees are cultivated worldwide and are the most widely grown species in the genus ''Malus''. The tree originated in Central Asia, where its wild ancestor, ' ...
label, in 1969, Preston released the album '' That's the Way God Planned It'', produced by George Harrison, the title song from which was a hit single in Britain. His association with Harrison continued after the Beatles' breakup in 1970; Preston was the first artist to record Harrison's subsequent international hit "
My Sweet Lord "My Sweet Lord" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released in November 1970 on his triple album ''All Things Must Pass''. It was also released as a single, Harrison's first as a solo artist, and topped charts worldwide; it was the ...
", on his 1970 album ''
Encouraging Words ''Encouraging Words'' is the fifth studio album by American soul musician Billy Preston, released in September 1970 on Apple Records. It was the last of Preston's two albums for the Beatles' Apple label, after which he moved to A&M Records. The ...
'', which Harrison co-produced with him. He appeared on several of Harrison's 1970s solo albums, starting with ''
All Things Must Pass ''All Things Must Pass'' is the third studio album by English rock musician George Harrison. Released as a triple album in November 1970, it was Harrison's first solo work after the break-up of the Beatles in April that year. It includes the h ...
''; made a notable contribution to
the Concert for Bangladesh The Concert for Bangladesh (or Bangla Desh, as the country's name was originally spelt)Harry, p. 135. was a pair of benefit concerts organised by former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar. The shows were he ...
, the Harrison-organized 1971 charity benefit; performed with the ex-Beatle on his 1974 tour of North America; and played at the 2002
Concert for George The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, and arrang ...
tribute, held at London's Royal Albert Hall. Preston also worked on solo releases by Lennon and Ringo Starr. In 1971, Preston left Apple and signed with
Herb Alpert Herb Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American trumpeter who led the band Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass in the 1960s. During the same decade, he co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss. Alpert has recorded 28 albums that have landed on the ...
's
A&M Records A&M Records was an American record label founded as an independent company by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss in 1962. Due to the success of the discography A&M released, the label garnered interest and was acquired by PolyGram in 1989 and began distr ...
. The previous year, he contributed to another hit single when Stephen Stills asked to use Preston's phrase "if you can't be with the one you love,
love the one you're with "Love the One You're With" is a song by folk rock musician Stephen Stills. It was released as the lead single from his debut self-titled studio album in November 1970. The song, inspired by a remark Stills heard from musician Billy Preston, be ...
", a song on Stills's
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debut solo album. Following the release of ''
I Wrote a Simple Song ''I Wrote a Simple Song'' is the sixth studio album by American soul musician Billy Preston. Released in November 1971, it was his first album for A&M Records and marked the start of a run of commercial success in the United States that lasted th ...
'' on A&M, Preston's solo career peaked at this time, beginning with 1972's " Outa-Space", an
instrumental An instrumental is a recording normally without any vocals, although it might include some inarticulate vocals, such as shouted backup vocals in a big band setting. Through semantic widening, a broader sense of the word song may refer to inst ...
track that further popularized the sound of the clavinet in funk music. The song reached number 2 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and topped ''Billboard'''s R&B chart, before going on to win the
Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance The Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by m ...
. "Outa-Space" sold over 1 million copies in America, and was awarded a
gold disc Music recording certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped, sold, or streamed a certain number of units. The threshold quantity varies by type (such as album, single, music video) and by nation or territory (see ...
by the RIAA in June 1972. Later that year, Preston contributed the title song to the hit blaxploitation film '' Slaughter'' starring Jim Brown. Over the next two years, Preston followed up with the US chart-topping singles "
Will It Go Round in Circles "Will It Go Round in Circles" is a song by American soul musician Billy Preston from his 1972 album '' Music Is My Life''. It was written by Preston and Bruce Fisher and released as a single in March 1973. The record topped the ''Billboard'' Hot ...
" (which displaced Harrison's "
Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) "Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released as the opening track of his 1973 album ''Living in the Material World''. It was also issued as the album's lead single, in May that year, and beca ...
" at the top on July 7, 1973) and " Nothing from Nothing", and the number 4 hit "
Space Race The Space Race was a 20th-century competition between two Cold War rivals, the United States and the Soviet Union, to achieve superior spaceflight capability. It had its origins in the ballistic missile-based nuclear arms race between the t ...
". Each of the three singles sold in excess of 1 million copies. '' American Bandstand'' host and executive producer
Dick Clark Richard Wagstaff Clark (November 30, 1929April 18, 2012) was an American radio and television personality, television producer and film actor, as well as a cultural icon who remains best known for hosting '' American Bandstand'' from 1956 to 19 ...
enjoyed "Space Race" so much that he used the instrumental for the mid-show break for virtually the remainder of its run. From 1970, Preston played keyboards (including piano, organ, clavinet and various synthesizers) for
the Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...
, sometimes alongside pianists
Nicky Hopkins Nicholas Christian "Nicky" Hopkins (24 February 1944 – 6 September 1994) was an English pianist and organist. Hopkins performed on many popular and enduring British and American rock music recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s, most notably ...
and Ian Stewart, on their albums ''
Sticky Fingers ''Sticky Fingers'' is the 9th British and 11th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. The Stones released it on 23 April 1971 on their new, and own label Rolling Stones Records. They had been contracted by Decc ...
'', '' Exile on Main St.'', ''
Goats Head Soup ''Goats Head Soup'' is the 11th British and 13th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released on 31 August 1973 by Rolling Stones Records. Like its predecessor '' Exile on Main St.'', the band composed and ...
'', ''
It's Only Rock 'n Roll ''It's Only Rock 'n Roll'' is the 12th British and 14th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 18 October 1974 by Rolling Stones Records. It was the last Rolling Stones album to feature guitarist Mick Ta ...
'' and ''
Black and Blue ''Black and Blue'' is the 13th British and 15th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 23 April 1976 by Rolling Stones Records. This album was the first recorded after former guitarist Mick Taylor qu ...
''. As the band's primary touring keyboardist from 1973 to 1977, he also performed as a support act with his own band (including
Mick Taylor Michael Kevin Taylor (born 17 January 1949) is an English guitarist, best known as a former member of John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (1967–1969) and the Rolling Stones (1969–1974). As a member of the Stones, he appeared on: ''Let It Bleed'' ...
on guitar) on their
1973 European tour The 1973 European Tour was a series of golf tournaments that comprised the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) tournament circuit. It is officially recognised as the second season of the PGA European Tour. Historically, the PGA's Order of Me ...
. A
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performance from this tour was documented on Preston's album '' Live European Tour 1973''. In 1974, along with Bruce Fisher, one of his regular songwriting collaborators in the 1970s, he composed one of Joe Cocker's biggest hits, "
You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, '' The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English sing ...
". On October 11, 1975, he was the first musical guest on ''
Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (often abbreviated to ''SNL'') is an American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC and Peacock (streaming service), Peacock. ...
''s series premiere episode. Preston's 1973 song "Do You Love Me" was the basis for the Rolling Stones' track "Melody", released on ''Black and Blue'' in 1976. Although two of his songs were included in the band's 1975 and 1976 (plus the famous El Mocambo)live sets, the Stones and Preston parted company in 1977, mainly due to a disagreement over money. He continued to play on solo records by Stones members like
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. His ongoing songwriting partnershi ...
's '' Wandering Spirit'', and made appearances on the band's ''
Tattoo You ''Tattoo You'' is the 16th British and 18th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 24 August 1981 by Rolling Stones Records. The album is mostly composed of studio outtakes recorded during the 1970s, an ...
'' and ''
Bridges to Babylon ''Bridges to Babylon'' is the 21st British and 23rd American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released by Virgin Records on 29 September 1997. Released as a double album on vinyl and as a single CD, it was supported by t ...
''. After seven years with A&M, he signed with Motown. In 1979, he duetted with
Syreeta Wright Syreeta Wright (February 28, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her music during the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Wright's career heights we ...
on the ballad "
With You I'm Born Again "With You I'm Born Again" is a 1979 duet written by Carol Connors and David Shire that originated on the soundtrack of the 1979 motion picture ''Fast Break''. It was performed by Motown recording artists Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright (credit ...
", which reached number 4 on the charts in the US. Preston's career lost momentum in the 1980s due to his
cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Ameri ...
and alcohol addictions. He left Motown in 1984 and focused on session work, contributing to works by artists such as Luther Vandross (his organ solos were included on Vandross's 1985 hit "Til My Baby Comes Home"),
Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed " The Voice", she is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide. Houston i ...
and Patti LaBelle, among others. He served as musical director for ''
Nightlife Nightlife is a collective term for entertainment that is available and generally more popular from the late evening into the early hours of the morning. It includes pubs, bars, nightclubs, parties, live music, concerts, cabarets, theatre, ...
'', a late-night talk show hosted by
David Brenner David Norris Brenner (February 4, 1936 – March 15, 2014) was an American stand-up comedian, actor and author. The most frequent guest on '' The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' in the 1970s and 1980s, Brenner "was a pioneer of obser ...
that lasted one season from 1986 to 1987. He worked again with Little Richard on the US/UK album , "Lifetime Friend ", and later jammed with him on the Brenner show, in 1986. Preston toured with Eric Clapton, recorded with Gary Walker, one of the vocalists in his Los Angeles-based band, and worked with a wide range of other artists. He also toured with Ringo Starr, appearing on his 1990 live album. He was invited to become a member of The Band in 1991, after the death of piano player Stan Szelest. He performed on tour with the group, but the sentencing from his cocaine and sexual assault charges in 1991 ended the collaboration.


Later work

In 1997, Billy Preston recorded the album ''You and I'', in Italy, with Italian band Novecento. The album was produced by Vaughn De Spenza and Novecento members Lino and Pino Nicolosi. In 1998, Preston played organ during the choir numbers on the
UPN The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that launched on January 16, 1995. It was originally owned by Chris-Craft Industries' United Television. Viacom (through its Paramount Television unit, which pr ...
comedy show ''Good News (TV series), Good News''. The same year he sang and played synthesizer in the film ''Blues Brothers 2000'', as part of the Louisiana Gator Boys supergroup. On November 29, 2001, while touring and fighting his own health problems, Preston received the news that George Harrison had died, after a long illness. Preston, among many of Harrison's longtime friends, performed in the 2002
Concert for George The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, and arrang ...
at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Preston's performance of "My Sweet Lord" received critical acclaim. Additionally, he sang "Isn't It a Pity", provided backing vocals on most of the other songs, and played the Hammond organ for the show. In 2002, Preston appeared on the Johnny Cash album ''American IV: The Man Comes Around'', playing piano on "Personal Jesus" and "Tear-Stained Letter". In 2004, Preston toured with the Funk Brothers and Steve Winwood in Europe, and then with Clapton in Europe and North America. After the Clapton tours, he went to France, where he was featured in one episode of the ''Legends Rock TV Show.'' His performance included a duet with Sam Moore on "You Are So Beautiful"; this was Preston's last filmed concert. In 2004, Preston performed as a List of jazz organists, jazz organist on Ray Charles's ''Genius Loves Company'', an album of duets, on the song "Here We Go Again (Ray Charles song), Here We Go Again" with Charles and Norah Jones. In March 2005, he appeared on the ''American Idol'' American Idol (season 4), fourth-season finale. Playing piano, he performed "
With You I'm Born Again "With You I'm Born Again" is a 1979 duet written by Carol Connors and David Shire that originated on the soundtrack of the 1979 motion picture ''Fast Break''. It was performed by Motown recording artists Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright (credit ...
" with Vonzell Solomon (who finished the contest in third place). The same year, he recorded "Go Where No One's Gone Before", the main title song for the anime series ''L/R: Licensed by Royalty''. Preston played clavinet on the song "Warlocks" for the Red Hot Chili Peppers album ''Stadium Arcadium'' (2006). Although very ill by this point, he jumped out of his bed after hearing a tape of the song given to him by the band, recorded his part, and went back to bed. Preston's final recorded contributions were the gospel-tinged organ on the Neil Diamond album ''12 Songs (Neil Diamond album), 12 Songs'' (2005), and his keyboard work on ''The Road to Escondido'' (2006) by Eric Clapton and J. J. Cale. In late 2005, Preston made his last public performance, in Los Angeles, to publicize the re-release of the 1972 documentary film ''The Concert for Bangladesh (film), The Concert for Bangladesh''. He played a set of three Harrison songs—"Give Me Love", "My Sweet Lord" and "Isn't It a Pity"—with Dhani Harrison and Starr joining on guitar and drums, respectively, for the last song.


Personal life


Religion

Preston was brought up in the African-American Gospel music, gospel tradition; he was a committed Christian throughout his life and openly expressed his faith in works such as his 1970s hit " That's the Way God Planned It". His personal beliefs were sometimes at odds with the attitudes and musical expressions of the secular world of rock & roll in which he often worked, but he was apparently willing to put his religious views aside when working on tracks like John Lennon's openly atheistic song "God (John Lennon song), God". Preston was deeply attached to his mother, for whom he wrote the song that became his best-known composition, "
You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, '' The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English sing ...
".''Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It''
BBC Radio 4, December 21, 2010.


Sexuality

Although the details did not become fully known to the general public until after his death, Preston struggled throughout his life to cope with his homosexuality, and the lasting effects of the traumatic sexual abuse he suffered as a boy. Although his sexual orientation became known to friends and associates in the music world (such as Keith Richards), Preston did not publicly Coming out, come out as gay until just before he died, partly because he felt that it conflicted with his deeply held religious beliefs and his lifelong association with the church. In his autobiography, ''Life'', Keith Richards mentioned Preston's struggles with his homosexuality. In an interview for a 2010 BBC Radio 4 documentary on his life and career, Preston's manager Joyce Moore revealed that after she began handling his affairs, Preston opened up to her about the lifelong trauma he had suffered as the result of being sexually abused as a child. Preston told Moore that at about the age of nine, after he and his mother moved to Los Angeles from Houston to perform in a touring production of ''Amos 'n' Andy'', he was repeatedly abused by the touring company's pianist. When Preston told his mother about the abuse, she did not believe him, and failed to protect him. The abuse went on for the entire summer, and Preston was also later abused by a local pastor. Another traumatic incident, which reportedly affected Preston deeply, occurred in the early 1970s, while he was engaged to actress/model Kathy Silva. At this time Preston had become close friends with musician Sly Stone, and made many contributions to Stone's recordings of the period (including the album ''There's a Riot Goin' On''). According to Moore, Preston was devastated when he came home one day to find Stone in bed with Silva (who later famously married Stone on stage at Madison Square Garden). According to Moore, Silva's affair with Stone was the trigger that led Preston to stop having relationships with women. It was after this incident that he began using
cocaine Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Ameri ...
and having sex with men, and Moore has stated that she saw his drug abuse as his way of coping with the internal conflicts he felt about his "sexual urges".


Legal issues and drug addiction

In 1991, Preston checked into a drug rehabilitation program to treat his addictions. While on probation for a Drunk drivers, drunk driving conviction in August 1991, Preston was arrested for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Mexican boy, after picking him up at a gathering point for day laborers. The boy told authorities that Preston took him to his Malibu, California, Malibu home, smoked cocaine, showed him pornographic pictures and tried to assault him before he escaped. Preston was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon involving a man he picked up to do work at his home, the day before his arrest in the case involving the boy. After submitting to a drug test, Preston tested positive for cocaine. He entered nolo contendre, no-contest pleas to the cocaine and assault charges. The sex charges which included misdemeanor charges of Child sexual abuse, child molestation and exhibiting pornographic material to a minor were dismissed. He was sentenced to nine months at a drug rehabilitation center and three months of house arrest. In 1992, Preston was sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating his probation on a drunk driving conviction. In 1997, Preston was sentenced to three years in a California prison for cocaine possession in violation of his probation. He had been placed on three years' probation earlier that year after testing positive for cocaine use; under the terms, he agreed to spend 90 days in jail and to remain drug-free. While in prison in 1998, Preston was indicted for a $1 million insurance fraud scheme after setting fire to his own house in Los Angeles. He pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against other defendants involved in the scam. His plea called for five years of probation, one year in jail, and $60,000 in restitution. The probation and jail time ran concurrent with his cocaine possession conviction. At California's Avenal State Prison, Preston led a chorus and performed at church services. He served 18 months of his four-year sentence, after which he apparently became drug-free.


Death

Preston had suffered kidney disease in his later years, brought on by his hypertension. He received a kidney transplant in 2002, but his health continued to deteriorate. He had voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation clinic in Malibu, California, at the suggestion of guitarist Is'real Benton, and suffered pericarditis there, leading to respiratory failure that left him in a coma from November 21, 2005. Preston died on June 6, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Preston's funeral was held June 21, 2006. At the funeral, which lasted almost three hours, Joe Cocker sang, Little Richard reminisced, and a brass band played a stirring version of "Amazing Grace". Other musical performers included The Temptations' lead vocalist Ali-Ollie Woodson, Ali Woodson and singer Merry Clayton. A gospel choir, clad in bright red, sang throughout. The mourners also heard letters written by Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others who had toured and recorded with Preston. He was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.


Legacy

Miles Davis' 1974 album ''Get Up with It'' features a track called "Billy Preston" in his honor. Ringo Starr, speaking during the rehearsals for the Concert for George in 2002, called Preston one of the greatest Hammond organ players of all time. In another interview Starr said, "Billy never put his hands in the wrong place. Never." Preston's song " Nothing from Nothing" was featured on the soundtracks of 2003's Elf (film), Elf and 2008's ''Be Kind Rewind''. In his introduction to the 2010 BBC Radio program ''Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It'', former Yes (band), Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman said of Preston: "Every keyboard player I know loves Billy Preston. You can spot his playing a mile off, whether it's the Hammond organ, the Fender Rhodes or the piano. He had such a ''spiritual'' touch to his technique; it made him completely unique." In 2021, White Horse Pictures and Homegrown Pictures announced that they were making a documentary on Preston, to be directed by Paris Barclay.


Awards and nominations

Preston was nominated for nine Grammy Awards and won two. He won a
Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance The Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by m ...
for "Outa-Space" at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards in 1973. He also won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for his participation in the album The Concert for Bangladesh (album), ''The Concert For Bangla Desh'' at the same ceremony. He was inducted into the Class of 2021 of the Rock and Roll Hall Fame with the Musical Excellence Award.


Discography


Studio albums


Studio EP


Live album

*1974: '' Live European Tour 1973'' (
A&M Records A&M Records was an American record label founded as an independent company by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss in 1962. Due to the success of the discography A&M released, the label garnered interest and was acquired by PolyGram in 1989 and began distr ...
)


Gospel albums

*1965: ''Hymns Speak From the Organ'' (Vee Jay Records, VJLP-5083; 1966 reissue: Exodus Records, EX-53) *1973: ''Gospel in My Soul'' (Peacock Records, PLP-179; reissue of ''Hymns Speak From the Organ'') *1978: ''Behold!'' (Myrrh Records, MYR-1070) *1980: ''Universal Love'' (Myrrh Records, MYR-1080; MSB-6607) *1985: ''Ministry of Music'' (King James, KJ-8502; D&K Records, D&K 86003) *1996: ''Words and Music'' *2001: ''Music From My Heart'' (MCG Records, MCG-7026)


Charted albums


Singles

Source:


As a guest/session performer

*1963: '' Night Beat'' ( Sam Cooke) *1965: ''I Don't Know What You Got (But It's Got Me)'' ( Little Richard) *1969: ''A Black Man's Soul'' (Ike Turner) *1969: "
Get Back "Get Back" is a song recorded by the British rock band the Beatles and Billy Preston, and written by Paul McCartney though credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. It was originally released as a single on 11 April 1969 and credited to ...
" and "Don't Let Me Down (The Beatles song), Don't Let Me Down" (The Beatles) *1969: ''
Abbey Road ''Abbey Road'' is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band the Beatles. It is the last album the group started recording, although '' Let It Be'' was the last album completed before the band's break-up in April 1970. It was mostly ...
'' (The Beatles) *1970: ''Let It Be (Beatles album), Let It Be'' (The Beatles) *1970: ''
All Things Must Pass ''All Things Must Pass'' is the third studio album by English rock musician George Harrison. Released as a triple album in November 1970, it was Harrison's first solo work after the break-up of the Beatles in April that year. It includes the h ...
'' ( George Harrison) *1970: ''John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band'' (
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
) – piano on "God (John Lennon song), God" *1971: ''
Sticky Fingers ''Sticky Fingers'' is the 9th British and 11th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. The Stones released it on 23 April 1971 on their new, and own label Rolling Stones Records. They had been contracted by Decc ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) *1971: ''The Concert for Bangladesh'' (George Harrison and Friends) *1971: ''There's a Riot Goin' On'' (Sly and the Family Stone) *1971: ''Live at Fillmore West'' (King Curtis and Aretha Franklin) *1971: ''Barbra Joan Streisand (album), Barbra Joan Streisand'' (Barbra Streisand) – keyboards and drums *1972: '' Exile on Main St.'' (The Rolling Stones) *1972: ''Wind of Change (album), Wind of Change'' (Peter Frampton) – piano, keyboards, harpsichord, accordion *1973: ''Ringo (album), Ringo'' ( Ringo Starr) – organ on "I'm the Greatest" and "Oh My My (Ringo Starr song), Oh My My" *1973: ''
Goats Head Soup ''Goats Head Soup'' is the 11th British and 13th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. It was released on 31 August 1973 by Rolling Stones Records. Like its predecessor '' Exile on Main St.'', the band composed and ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) *1974: ''Dark Horse (George Harrison album), Dark Horse'' ( George Harrison) – electric piano *1974: ''Goodnight Vienna'' (Ringo Starr) – clavinet on the title track, electric piano on "Only You (And You Alone)#Ringo Starr version, Only You" *1974: ''
It's Only Rock 'n Roll ''It's Only Rock 'n Roll'' is the 12th British and 14th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 18 October 1974 by Rolling Stones Records. It was the last Rolling Stones album to feature guitarist Mick Ta ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) *1975: "
You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, '' The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English sing ...
" ( Joe Cocker) *1975: ''Extra Texture (Read All About It)'' (George Harrison) – electric piano on "His Name Is Legs (Ladies And Gentlemen)" *1975: "Steal Miss Liza (Steal Liza Jane)" ( Little Richard) *1976: ''Thirty Three & 1/3'' (George Harrison) *1976: ''No Reason to Cry'' ( Eric Clapton) *1976: ''
Black and Blue ''Black and Blue'' is the 13th British and 15th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 23 April 1976 by Rolling Stones Records. This album was the first recorded after former guitarist Mick Taylor qu ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) *1976: ''Love You Live'' (The Rolling Stones) *1978: '' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'' – also acted the part "Sgt. Pepper" in the film *1981: ''
Tattoo You ''Tattoo You'' is the 16th British and 18th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 24 August 1981 by Rolling Stones Records. The album is mostly composed of studio outtakes recorded during the 1970s, an ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) *1982: ''Gone Troppo'' (George Harrison) *1985: "Til My Baby Comes Home" ( Luther Vandross) – organ *1986: "Great Gosh A'Mighty (Been a Long Time Comin')" – co-written with Little Richard – from the film ''Down and Out in Beverly Hills'' (sung by Little Richard) *1986: "Big House Reunion" ( Little Richard) *1987: ''Steppin' Up'' – Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff – piano *1990: ''Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band (album), Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band'' – keyboards and vocals *1990: ''Giovani Jovanotti'' (Jovanotti) – keyboards and Fender Rhodes *1990: "Show Me Your Soul" – Red Hot Chili Peppers *1991: ''...E La Vita Continua'' (Nino D'Angelo) *1993: '' Wandering Spirit'' (
Mick Jagger Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. His ongoing songwriting partnershi ...
) – "Sweet Thing", "Out of Focus", "Use Me (Bill Withers song), Use Me", "Wandering Spirit" and "I've Been Lonely for So Long". *1996: ''Voyage of Dreams'' (Jephté Guillaume and the Tet Kale Orkestra) – organ, strings on "Al Di Yo", "Go Tell Them", "Kanpe", "Get Up" *1996: ''Donnie McClurkin'' (Donnie McClurkin) – organ *1996: ''Love Brought Me Back'' (Helen Baylor) – organ *1996: ''El Equilibrio de los Jaguares'' (Jaguares (band), Jaguares) – organ / Hammond organ, Hammond B3 on "Detrás de los Cerros" *1996: ''Peace Beyond Passion'' (Me'shell Ndegeocello) – keyboards on "Deuteronomy: Niggerman" *1997: ''
Bridges to Babylon ''Bridges to Babylon'' is the 21st British and 23rd American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released by Virgin Records on 29 September 1997. Released as a double album on vinyl and as a single CD, it was supported by t ...
'' (The Rolling Stones) – organ on "Saint of Me" *1997: ''Estas en mí'' (Juana La Loca (band), Juana La Loca) – piano *1998: ''Undiscovered Soul'' (Richie Sambora) *2000: ''The Harsh Light of Day'' (Fastball (band), Fastball) – keyboards on "You're An Ocean" *2001: ''Songs from the West Coast'' (Elton John) – Hammond organ on "I Want Love", "The Wasteland", "Love Her Like Me" *2001: ''Everybody Got Their Something'' (Nikka Costa) – Clavinet *2001: ''Reptile (album), Reptile'' (Eric Clapton) *2001: ''One More Car, One More Rider'' (Eric Clapton, live) – DVD includes live performance of ''Will It Go Round in Circles'' *2002: ''Travelogue (Joni Mitchell album), Travelogue'' (Joni Mitchell) – Hammond B3 on the track "You Dream Flat Tires" *2002: ''American IV: The Man Comes Around'' (Johnny Cash) – piano on "Tear Stained Letter" and "Personal Jesus#Johnny Cash cover, Personal Jesus" *2002: ''
Concert for George The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 as a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his death. The event was organised by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and his son, Dhani, and arrang ...
'' – including "Isn't It a Pity" and "
My Sweet Lord "My Sweet Lord" is a song by English musician George Harrison, released in November 1970 on his triple album ''All Things Must Pass''. It was also released as a single, Harrison's first as a solo artist, and topped charts worldwide; it was the ...
" *2003: ''The Colored Section'' (Donnie) – Hammond B3 on the last track: "The Colored Section" *2003: ''Get Born'' (Jet (band), Jet) *2004: ''Me and Mr. Johnson'' (Eric Clapton) – also appears in the DVD companion ''Sessions for Robert J'' *2004: ''Crossroads Guitar Festival'' (Eric Clapton) *2004: ''Genius Loves Company'' (
Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...
) *2004: ''That's Life (Julia Fordham album), That's Life'' (Julia Fordham) *2005: ''12 Songs (Neil Diamond album), 12 Songs'' (Neil Diamond) *2005: ''Back Home (Eric Clapton album), Back Home'' (Eric Clapton) *2005: ''Choose Love'' (Ringo Starr) *2005: ''The Concert for Bangladesh'' (George Harrison and Friends) (re-mastered version and video) *2005: ''Tough on Crime'' (Rebecca Pidgeon) – keyboards *2006: ''Stadium Arcadium'' (Red Hot Chili Peppers) – "Warlocks" *2006: ''The Road to Escondido'' (Eric Clapton, J. J. Cale) *2006: ''Overnight Sensational'' (Sam Moore) – Hammond B3 on "I Can't Stand the Rain (song), I Can't Stand the Rain" and sings and plays on "
You Are So Beautiful "You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, '' The Kids & Me''. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English sing ...
" *2007: ''Reach'' (Is'real Benton) – organ on "Have a Good Time" *2007: ''Imagine'' (Howard Hewett) – organ *2011: ''Brussels Affair (Live 1973)'' (The Rolling Stones) *2012: ''L.A. Friday'' (The Rolling Stones) *2020: ''Goats Head Soup - 2020 Deluxe edition'' (The Rolling Stones) *2022: ''El Mocambo 1977'' (The Rolling Stones)


Notes


References

;General sources *


External links


Billy Preston's official site
*[ Allmusic.com "Billy Preston"]
The Complete Apple Records
* * *
Eric Clapton and Billy Preston performing "Isn't It a Pity" at the Concert for George, November 2002
{{DEFAULTSORT:Preston, Billy 1946 births 2006 deaths African-American male actors African-American rock musicians African-American male singer-songwriters American male pop singers LGBT African Americans American child singers African-American pianists American funk keyboardists American funk singers American male film actors American male organists American Pentecostals American pop pianists American male pianists American rhythm and blues keyboardists American rhythm and blues singers American rock keyboardists American rock singers American rock songwriters American session musicians American soul keyboardists American soul singers A&M Records artists Apple Records artists Burials at Inglewood Park Cemetery Deaths from kidney failure American gay actors American gay musicians Grammy Award winners LGBT composers LGBT people from California LGBT people from Texas LGBT singers from the United States LGBT songwriters Male actors from Houston Male actors from Los Angeles Motown artists Musicians from Los Angeles County, California Musicians from Houston Kidney transplant recipients Plastic Ono Band members Rhythm and blues pianists Singers from Los Angeles Singer-songwriters from Texas Sue Records artists Vee-Jay Records artists American expatriates in the United Kingdom African-American Christians LGBT Pentecostals People from Topanga, California 20th-century American male actors 21st-century American keyboardists 21st-century American male actors 21st-century African-American male singers The Beatles African-American male child actors American male child actors Kings of Rhythm members The Rolling Stones 20th-century American keyboardists Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band members 20th-century African-American male singers 20th-century LGBT people 21st-century LGBT people Singer-songwriters from California