My unforgettable moments with Billy Preston

[Resonater]

Well, I should have known that 06/06/06 would turn out all wrong. Today, the great, the one and only Billy Preston passed away. wow. I had a magical session with Billy some years ago. He came to play on an album which I was recording for another talented artist named Rahsaan Patterson. The session took place at what used to be the Music Grinder Studios, on Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. Billy was scheduled for 12:00 noon, and the plan was to get his Hammond B3 magic on one song, "Soul Free". Now, you know, there were stories about Billy being late. Or not showing up at all. But still, we were there waiting...Rahsaan, the great producer Jamey Jaz and myself.

At about 11:58am, Billy strode into the studio, confidently, upbeat, smiling and cordial. Not al all what I was expecting. We exchanged greetings, and he took his seat at the organ. "What key are we in?", he asked. "OK...hit the red button and let's go". No chord chart. No lead sheet. "Just call out the changes as we go."

"There's a B3 solo", Jamey warned.

"Hit the red button", Billy said, and off we went.

He immediately felt the groove. The essence. His entire body was a blur in motion. No, poetry in motion. Left hand working the Leslie switch and low chords, right hand working the 'stops and playing the song, while the left foot hit the bass pedals and the right foot worked the volume pedal. Four limbs driven by a single heart.

"G!" Jamey called out. "E Minor". "C!". Shit. Billy was amazing.

"S O L O!". Billy, a man of all smiles and music, dropped a B3 solo which basically said all that there is to say about music. Smiles all around in the studio. We were confounded. Stupified. Amazed. in awe.

By the end of the take, we were a bit speechless. "Want another take?", Billy asked obligingly. Jamey sheepishly mentioned that it might be a good idea, seeing as how we expected to have Billy for a couple of hours. But we didn't need one. Still, let's do that one more time, and we did. But the magic was there in the first take. The one on which Billy had never even heard the song before. If you buy the album, check out the B3 solo on "Soul Free". To this day, it makes me smile and makes me know that I was in the presence of a God. A God of music and spirit.

A full ten minutes had gone by since Billy had arrived, and he suggested, "Got another song?". Jamey and Rahsaan conferred. "John, throw up "My Sweetheart"." Up it went.

"What key are we in? Push the red button."

About 15 minutes later, Billy was shaking hands and getting ready to exit. I was humbled to spend a mere half hour in the same room. It was perhaps the single most impressionable session I've ever had. I'm not expecting another such revelation. God was good to me on that day, and I'll never, ever forget my session with Billy Preston.

Indeed, you are so beautiful, Billy. God bless you, music man.

[syra]

Awesome story Reso...great delivery too

[indie]

Absolutely...great story Resonater. He really did seem to be all smiles in every studio shot i've seen.

One of the highlights of my musical life was playing in "the house band" for a cancer benefit where he sat in. --- half way through the night, someone comes up to the front of the stage and hands the band leader a note... something to the affect of "Billy Preston is here and wants to sit in". The band leader was friends with him and probably knew this would happen.
Well, I crapped my pants and played along in one of the most sureal moment i've had...I never get star struck...except that night.
After the show, I muttered something like "I'm a big fan! My dad use to play your records all the time!"
How embarrasing...but he was completely nice and understanding.

Here's to Billy!

[SoulSpace]

Thank you. The first record I ever bought was a 45 of Billy Preston "Nothing from Nothing" when I was nothing more that about 8 years old (actually my mom bought it for me, of couse). It changed my life. RIP Billy.

[Tone Laborer]

The guy was amazing. Will it Go Round in Circles, Outta Space, Nothing from Nothing. They don't make them like that anymore. RIP.

[makoto]

Thanks for sharing your story,
I think Billy would also like the story himself.

Seems the simple things in life are the best parts..........

A B-3, leslie, and Billy preston for a few minutes.........makes me smile.

Thanks again!

Makoto

[Bassmec]

I was sad to hear he had passed. I remember him at Knebworth Park on the Big Lips Tour he was just so good.
Regards.•:*¨¨*:•. ¸¸.•´¯`•.Mark Fairfax-Harwood, Engineer Springvale Studios

[Syki]

Originally Posted by indie

Absolutely...great story Resonater. He really did seem to be all smiles in every studio shot i've seen.

One of the highlights of my musical life was playing in "the house band" for a cancer benefit where he sat in. --- half way through the night, someone comes up to the front of the stage and hands the band leader a note... something to the affect of "Billy Preston is here and wants to sit in". The band leader was friends with him and probably knew this would happen.
Well, I crapped my pants and played along in one of the most sureal moment i've had...I never get star struck...except that night.
After the show, I muttered something like "I'm a big fan! My dad use to play your records all the time!"
How embarrasing...but he was completely nice and understanding.

Here's to Billy!

Back in 1982, my band had the privilege of playing with Billy Preston and Ozone at Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe (on the same bill)

Besides having the honor of sitting in with Billy on a jam session, 12 bar blues he told me the most wonderful stories of Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack (in Depth) he will be truly missed.....a legend! RIP

[T9c]

Thank you Resonator for putting a big smile on MY face with your story about Billy. I was always impressed by Billy's music, but also because he was one of the first black sidemen I saw play with white r&r bands. He sure had a mojo.

RIP Billy Preston.

[max cooper]

Great story.

BTW, what happened to the Music Grinder?

[ramjet]

gotta agree with everyone else

thanx for a great story

cheers ramjet