Billy Preston - Keyboard Genius

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

I was saddened to hear that keyboardist Billy Preston died on June 6, 2006 from kidney failure. I knew he had been in poor health for years, but I have always loved his music and it is a staple of my iPod.

You may remember Billy Preston for his funky hits of the 70s such as "Nothing from Nothing, "Will It Go 'Round in Circles" and "Outta Space." But, he made many behind the scenes contributions to the music industry including working with the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Preston became close with Beatle George Harrison after playing on the "Let It Be" film and music project in 1969. He also had a solo in "Get Back" and performed with the Beatles the last time they played a live concert. He remained close friends with Harrison until his death in 2001. Preston also performed on solo records by Ringo Starr and John Lennon. His closeness with the Beatles led many people to refer to him as the "fifth Beatle." Preston also toured and recorded with the Rolling Stones in the early 70s, contributing on the albums Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street. Preston also worked with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, and Sly and the Family Stone.

Preston found success as a solo artist in the early 70s and even won a Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," which is one of my personal favorites. Preston was the first musical guest on Saturday Night Live and he wrote Joe Cocker's hit song "You Are So Beautiful." Preston, for all his musical greatness, did succumb to drugs and alcohol as many performers do. In 1992, he received a suspended sentence for cocaine possession and was sent to a drug rehabilitation center for nine months. He violated his probation from that arrest in 1997 and was sentence to three years in prison. He was also involved in insurance fraud in 1998.

Billy Preston is gone, but his great music will be with us forever. If you would like to purchase some of his CDs, check out Amazon.com.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a web designer/freelance writer located in Memphis, TN. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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