Billy Preston Biography
Billy Preston, referred to as the "Fifth Beatle" and a popular keyboardist, was born upon September 2, 1946, in Houston, Texas, United States. Growing up in a musically inclined family, Preston's early introduction to music was via his mom, Robbie Lee Williams Preston, a trained scripture vocalist, and his granny, Gertrude Franklin. His family transferred to Los Angeles in the very early 1950s, where Preston started his profession as a pianist as well as organist.
At the age of 10, Preston signed up with acclaimed gospel vocalist
Mahalia Jackson's team as a keyboardist. By 12 years old, he had caught the focus of famous musicians, such as
Ray Charles as well as
Little Richard. By the 1960s, he was tape-recording his very own music as well as signed up with
Little Richard's band as an organist for a number of years.
In 1962, while visiting England with
Little Richard, Billy fulfilled the Beatles and began a connection that lasted for years. In February 1969,
George Harrison invited him to a Beatles recording session, where he thrilled the band with his key-board skill. Preston played the body organ on "Get Back," "Don't Let Me Down," and "Let It Be," earning the label "Fifth Beatle."
Alongside his work with the Beatles, Preston collaborated with other famous musicians, including the Rolling Stones,
Eric Clapton, as well as Sly & The Family Stone. He added to the Rolling Stones' albums "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main St." as well as toured with the band from 1973-1977.
Billy Preston embarked on a successful solo career too. Between 1965 and 1981, he recorded 9 Top 20 hits, consisting of the top songs "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from Nothing." He also won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for his tune "Outa-Space" in 1973.
Sadly, Preston's job was not without its turmoil. He fought with medicine addiction as well as numerous legal concerns. He was founded guilty of insurance fraudulence in 1991 and also offered two years behind bars. In the mid-1990s, he went into a medicine rehab program and also made a successful return to the music industry.
His last years were noted by collaborations with promising musicians, such as
Neil Finn and Wendy Melvoin, as well as by the launch of the 2001 album "Love Songs."' Preston likewise rejoined with the Beatles for the 2002 Concert for George, a homage to
George Harrison organized by
Eric Clapton.
Billy Preston passed away on June 6, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona, as a result of difficulties from deadly high blood pressure. His unbelievable skill and links with a few of the most significant artists of the 20th century made Preston a significant figure in the music market. His legacy as the "Fifth Beatle" and a pioneering keyboardist endures to this day.
Our collection contains 6 quotes who is written / told by Billy.
Related authors: Mahalia Jackson (Musician), Ray Charles (Musician), Little Richard (Musician), Neil Finn (Musician), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), George Harrison (Musician), Eric Clapton (Musician)
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