Birthday remembrance to Billy Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006). He was an American musician whose work included R&B, rock, soul, funk and gospel. Billy Preston is one of several people sometimes referred to by outsiders as a Fifth Beatle. At one point during the Get Back sessions, John Lennon even proposed the idea of having him as the Fifth Beatle (to which Paul countered that it was bad enough with four). After working with the Beatles, Preston played keyboards (including piano, organ, clavinet, and various synthesizers) for The Rolling Stones alongside pianists Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart on Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street, Goats Head Soup, Its Only Rockn Roll and Black and Blue. As the bands primary touring keyboardist from 1973 to 1976. His hit pop singles including Outa-Space, Will It Go Round in Circles and Nothing from Nothing, and a string of albums and guest appearances with Eric Clapton, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others. In addition, Preston was co-author with The Beach Boys Dennis Wilson, of You Are So Beautiful, recorded by Preston and later a US #5 hit for Joe Cocker. He had Duet hits with Syreeta, With you im born again, It will come in Time. Alongside Tony Sheridan, Billy Preston was the only other musician to be credited on a Beatles recording, Get Back credits are given as The Beatles with Billy Preston. Stephen Stills asked Preston if he could use Prestons phrase if you cant be with the one you love, love the one youre with and created the hit song. There still remains an unreleased CD of Beatles covers that he had been working on for several years before his death. Many tracks from this CD were previewed by him at the Fest for Beatles Fans shows in the years before his death. youtu.be/3a0A-UZoHnk
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 11:05:31 +0000