Billy Preston
Billy Preston, born William Everett Preston on September 2, 1946, in Houston, Texas, was an acclaimed American musician known for his work across R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel genres. A child prodigy, Preston was self-taught and began playing piano at the age of three. By ten, he was performing with gospel legend Mahalia Jackson and appeared in the film "St. Louis Blues" at age 11.
Preston's early career saw him backing prominent artists like Little Richard, Sam Cooke, and Ray Charles. His association with the Beatles began in 1969 during the "Get Back" sessions, where he was credited on their single "Get Back" as "The Beatles with Billy Preston," earning him the title of the "Fifth Beatle." He also contributed to the Beatles' albums "Abbey Road" and "Let It Be."
As a solo artist, Preston achieved significant success in the 1970s with hits such as "Outa-Space," which won a Grammy, "Will It Go Round in Circles," and "Nothing from Nothing." He co-wrote "You Are So Beautiful," a major hit for Joe Cocker, and collaborated extensively with artists like the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison.
Preston's career spanned from 1956 until 2005, and he was posthumously awarded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Musical Excellence Award in 2021. He passed away on June 6, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona, due to respiratory failure after a heart infection.
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