Billy Preston's career has spanned five decades, starting when he began playing organ for the likes of Ray Charles and Little Richard. His accomplishments are highlighted not only by his impressive solo career, but his frequent collaboration with some of the most celebrated names in the music industry: The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, The Jackson Five, The Band, Sly and the Family Stone, Sammy Davis Jr., The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones and perhaps the most famous of all, The Beatles.
Billy's relationship with The Beatles led to his signing with Apple Records in the 60s. Billy is widely acknowledged as the "Fifth Beatle," having been the only outside party to ever have his name included in the label credits of the Let It Be and the Abbey Road albums as well as the landmark "White Album". Billy also appeared with The Beatles in the films The Complete Beatles and Let It Be, as well as performing as part of them during their historic final concert on the rooftop of Apple Studios.
In the late 60s, Billy worked with John Lennon on his solo Plastic Ono Band album as well as Ringo Starr's solo single "Oh My My." He also participated in George Harrison's American Tour. In addition, he was a leading character in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, also featuring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees, performing a stunning version of "Get Back".
Billy's name and fame were solidified as a solo artist when he scored a string of Number 1 hit singles, including the Grammy winning "Outta Space", "Will It Go Round In Circles", "Nothing From Nothing" and "Space Race".
A prolific writer, Billy penned the multi-platinum standard "You Are So Beautiful" which was performed by his friend Joe Cocker. He also wrote the title songs for a series of box office champions including Never Gonna Say Goodbye, Fast Break and O'Hara's Wide. The title song from Fast Break became a Preston classic hit when performed as a duet with Syreeta Wright. Billy also co-wrote the score for the Sidney Poitier movie They Call Me Mr. Tibbs with Quincy Jones.
In recent years, Billy played clavinet on the song "Warlocks" for the Red Hot Chili Peppers album Stadium Arcadium, released in 2006. Although very ill, 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. His final contribution was playing organ on the Neil Diamond album 12 Songs.
Billy battled kidney disease in his later years. Although he received a kidney transplant in 2002, his health continued to deteriorate. He died on June 6, 2006 in Scottsdale, Arizona, of complications of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications. He had been in a coma since November 21, 2005. His funeral was held on June 20th at the Faithful Central Bible Church in Los Angeles, California.
