Billy Preston (1946-2006)
 (Sources – Reuters / BBC )
Billy Preston, a so-called “fifth Beatle” who also played with the Rolling Stones and enjoyed solo success in his own right, died in Arizona on Tuesday, June 6th, after a long illness. He was 59.
Ringo Starr said: “Billy was an incredible musician and an incredible man who will be missed. As Billy said, that’s the way God planned it.”
Preston had been in a coma at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea in Scottsdale, Arizona, since last November after suffering kidney failure and related illnesses, the legacy of a longtime battle with drugs that landed him in prison in the late 1990s.
A young keyboards prodigy, the Houston, Texas, native spent most of his life in the entertainment business. While still a teenager, he played with the likes of Mahalia Jackson, Little Richard and Ray Charles. With his large Afro hairstyle, ever-present gap-toothed smile and funky clothing style, he was a popular on-stage presence.
He became friends with The Beatles when he played with Little Richard in Hamburg in 1962 and The Beatles were the support act. He went on to play keyboards on Let it Be and Abbey Road and the song “Get Back” was credited to The Beatles and Billy Preston – the only time the Fab Four shared a credit with another musician on a hit single.
“I was at the Beatles’ office, and John said, ‘Look, Willy’ and he showed me the record,” Preston told the Chicago Sun-Times two years ago. “I looked, and it was great. Wow! It was really something to do that for me.“Â Lennon was even reputed to have suggested that Preston should join the group – but the idea was said to have been blocked by the rest of the band.
Preston was credited with soothing tensions within The Beatles during the Let It Be sessions – George Harrison likened it to a feuding family staying on its best behavior in front of a guest.Â
Preston also accompanied the band during their last live show on the roof of the Apple Records building in 1969 (see below), which he said was the highlight of his career.
Apple Records managing director Neil Aspinall said he was “truly saddened” to hear the news. “Billy made memorable contributions to The Beatles’ albums Let it Be and Abbey Road as well as recording two solo albums for Apple Records” The two Apple albums were co-produced by George Harrison.
Billy’s Beatle connections continued even after the Fab Four had split. He performed with George during the Concert for Bangladesh as well as on four of George’s solo albums. He also appeared on two of John’s solo albums and two of Ringo’s.
In 1978 Billy played the title role in the movie based on Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band (above).
In memory of Billy here is that seminal roof top performance of Get Back..
