6th June 2006
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#1 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2003 Location: New Jersey, Exit 55
Posts: 1,879
Thread Starter  | Billy Preston dead at 59
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198353,00.html
'Fifth Beatle' Billy Preston Dies at 59
The great singer-songwriter and performer Billy Preston, the real "Fifth Beatle," has died after a long illness as a result of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications.
As a result of a medical insult, he'd been in a deep coma since last November 21, but was still struggling to recover. He died at Shea Scottsdale Hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he'd lived for the last couple of years.
Billy was called the Fifth Beatle because he played keyboards on "Let It Be," "The White Album" and "Abbey Road." He also played on the Rolling Stones' hit song "Miss You," and often played with Eric Clapton. He also did the organ work on Sly & the Family Stone's greatest hits.
Preston's own hits include "Nothing From Nothing," "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "You Are So Beautiful," which Joe Cocker turned into an international hit.
Preston was actually mentored by Ray Charles, and acts like Little Richard (see below), Mahalia Jackson and James Cleveland had a huge impact on him at a young age.
In the early '60s, Billy went to Europe with Little Richard who was playing in Hamburg. The Beatles were the opening act, and as the story goes, he was the one who made sure they got fed.
His friendship with them lasted through the 1960s and he was the first act signed to Apple Records, thanks to George Harrison. The resulting album is called "That's the Way God Planned It."
In 1971, Preston played in "The Concert for Bangladesh." Last year, in one of his final appearances, he performed at a reunion in Los Angeles for the release of the Bangladesh DVD with Clapton and Harrison's son Dhani on guitar.
More recently, Billy can be heard on the latest albums by Neil Diamond and Red Hot Chili Peppers. He's also featured on the Starbucks soul album "Believe to My Soul," featuring Mavis Staples and Ann Peebles.
I had the good fortune to know Billy the last few years, and saw him perform — as chronicled in this column — last August at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut and last October at the Atlantis in the Bahamas.
He was one of those spectacular performers who put everything into his show, even though he had no working kidneys by then and was receiving dialysis. He was a warm, wonderful human being with a mile-wide smile. He was also a genius musician, the likes of whom we will not see again.
Rest in peace, Billy. You deserve it
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6th June 2006
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#2 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jun 2005 Location: Iowa
Posts: 287
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Very sad news.
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6th June 2006
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#3 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005 Location: nyc / london
Posts: 3,518
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his rendition of "my sweet lord" on the concert for george was heavenly.......
to add to the post before, one of preston's biggest mentors was the late
sam cooke.....billy preston recorded as a teenager for cooke's s.a.r. label......
r.i.p.
billy
you leave great light and joy......
- jack
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6th June 2006
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#4 | | Gearslutz.com admin
Joined: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK |
He was brilliant...
His singing on The Concert For George was amazing.. almost like a 'celestial connection' of sorts..I am sure they have a cloud with a piano & hammond B3 prepaired for him....
RIP
And thanks for the music..
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6th June 2006
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#5 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Apr 2005 Location: nyc / london
Posts: 3,518
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Jules .........a 'celestial connection' of sorts..I am sure they have a cloud with a piano & hammond B3 prepaired for him.... |
123
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6th June 2006
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#6 | | 3 + infractions, forum membership suspended.
Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Rosedale Cemetery Singing Beach, MA
Posts: 4,868
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bummer - great talent he was. Huge vocals on the guy
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6th June 2006
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#7 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx
Posts: 8,802
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Will It Go 'Round In Circles 
Respects to Billy P.
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6th June 2006
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#8 | | Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC |
Here's what AP wrote...
By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press Writer
PHOENIX (AP) - Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including "Outta Space" and "Nothing From Nothing," died Tuesday at 59.
Preston's longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said Preston had been in a coma since November in a care facility and was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale Saturday after his condition deteriorated.
"He had a very, very beautiful last few hours and a really beautiful passing," Moore said by telephone from Germany. "He went home good."
Preston had battled chronic kidney failure, and he received a kidney transplant in 2002. But the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis ever since, Moore said earlier this year.
Known for his big smile and towering Afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?"
He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again," a duet with Syreeta Wright.
He also wrote Joe Cocker's weeper, "You Are So Beautiful," and co-wrote with Quincy Jones the score for 1970 movie "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs." Other achievements included being a musical guest on the 1975 debut of "Saturday Night Live," and having a song named after him by Miles Davis. Among his film credits: "Blues Brothers 2000" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
Preston's partnership with the Beatles began in early 1969 when friend George Harrison recruited him to play on "Let It Be," a back-to-basics film and record project that nearly broke down because of feuding among band members. Harrison himself quit at one point, walking out on camera after arguing with Paul McCartney.
Preston not only inspired the Beatles to get along _ Harrison likened his effect to a feuding family staying on its best behavior in front of a guest _ but contributed a light, bluesy solo to "Get Back," performing the song with the band on its legendary "roof top" concert, the last time the Beatles played live. He was one of many sometimes labeled "The Fifth Beatle."
Preston remained close to Harrison and performed at Harrison's all-star charity event, "The Concert for Bangladesh" and at the "Concert for George," a tribute to Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. He played on solo records by Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.
Preston also toured and recorded extensively with the Rolling Stones, playing on such classic albums as "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street." In the mid-'70s, he parted from the Stones, reportedly unhappy over not getting proper credit for "Melody" and other songs. He reunited with the band in 1997 on its "Bridges to Babylon" record.
His sessions credits included Aretha Franklin's "Young, Gifted and Black," Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" and Sly and Family Stone's "There's a Riot Goin' On," three of the most acclaimed albums of the past 35 years.
The Houston native earned his performance chops at age 10 playing the keyboard for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and at 12 portraying a young W. C. Handy in the 1958 biopic "St. Louis Blues." He toured with mentors and fellow piano greats Ray Charles and Little Richard in the early 1960s, first encountering the Beatles while on the road in Germany.
Preston had numerous personal troubles in recent years. In 1992, he was given a suspended jail sentence, but ordered incarcerated for nine months at a drug rehabilitation center for his no-contest pleas to cocaine and assault charges. Five years later, he was sentenced to three years in prison for violating probation. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against other defendants in an alleged scam that netted about $1 million.
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6th June 2006
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#9 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2002 Location: El Lay
Posts: 2,205
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Sad news indeed. RIP, Billy.
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7th June 2006
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#10 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Santa Barbara
Posts: 293
| Billy Preston - Rest in Peace
He's probably knee deep in a jam session right now with Bohnam on Drums, Hendrix on Guitar, Jaco on Bass and Janice on Vocals.
Just a small sampling of his credits....have mercy...can I get a Hallelujah!!!
The Beatles – Let it Be
The Beatles – Abbey Road
The Beatles – The White Album
Beatle’s Final Live Performance – Abbey Road Studios Rooftop
The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street
The Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers
The Rolling Stones – Goats Head Soup
The Rolling Stones – It’s Only Rock and Roll
Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted and Black
Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On
Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks
John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band
Muppets in Space - Soundtrack
__________________ Siderius Nuncius Productions - Sound Patch Studio - Santa Barbara, California, USA
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7th June 2006
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#11 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
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hadn't heard til this post... wow... nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin' .... i guess.
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7th June 2006
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#12 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Philadelphia PA
Posts: 2,808
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Damn..
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7th June 2006
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#13 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Middletown, New York
Posts: 200
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by raal hadn't heard til this post... wow... nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin' .... i guess. | thumbsup Dude, I just saw that video on HV1 classics. Really cool to see!
Seeya Billy!
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7th June 2006
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#14 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 632
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>Billy Preston - Rest In Peace.
Amen to that.
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7th June 2006
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#15 | | Gear Head
Joined: Mar 2006 Location: San Francisco
Posts: 34
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I was fortunate to play a few gigs with Billy. One of the highlights of my career.
He will be missed.
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7th June 2006
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#16 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2004 Location: mexico
Posts: 5,050
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Push845 thumbsup Dude, I just saw that video on HV1 classics. Really cool to see!
Seeya Billy! | didn't see the video but i used to follow billy preston, leon russell, dr.john, ray charles and stevie wonder like the plague. my keyboard heroes.
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7th June 2006
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#17 | | Lives for gear
Joined: May 2005 Location: Nesna, Norway
Posts: 1,183
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"Will it go 'round in circles?... Will it go 'round like a bird up in the sky?...
Anyone remember him as the musical director on the David Brenner Show?
One of my heros...... again.....
Rock on Billy!
__________________
"Creative work defines itself; therefore, confront the work." John Cage
Gary Hoffman
Arctic Circle Recording Studio
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7th June 2006
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#18 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Baltimore
Posts: 2,087
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He also played on the last Jet cd...
I didn't know until this thread either...Damn!
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7th June 2006
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#19 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,231
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Add one more to the handn't heard list. That's too bad. It makes me realize I haven't been around long enough to really appreciate some of the greatest musicians ever. If I had an ssl... I'd trade it for a time machine. Actually, if anyone out there's interested, and you have a time machine, I'll trade you a 002 for it...  | |
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7th June 2006
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#20 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,678
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this is awful news. he was a legend. what makes it even worse is that i read an article by his brother saying that Billy's ex prevented Billy's blood relatives seeing him in the hospital so i dont even know if his real family got to see him before he died.
RIP Billy...
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7th June 2006
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#21 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Arizona
Posts: 460
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R.I.P. One of my favorite albums
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7th June 2006
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#22 | | Gear addict
Joined: Aug 2005 Location: ayr, north queensland, australia
Posts: 400
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REST IN PEACE BILLY PRESTON
very very sad news
ramjet
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7th June 2006
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#23 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Mar 2005 Location: NYC
Posts: 2,932
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by Trancetones
Just a small sampling of his credits....Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On
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Billy plays on _Riot_? I did not know that. Wow...
He was an absolute animal when he toured with the Stones in '76, goading Jagger to even more extreme onstage antics, joining in on the whole Giant Inflatable Dick shenanigans...a consumate artist who knew the value of entertainment but never compromised his musicianship to get a number across.
I loved his B-3 playing on _Sticky Fingers_ and _Exile_. Jam on, outerspaceman!
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7th June 2006
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#24 | | Gear maniac
Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Texas
Posts: 191
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I'm aging myself but saw him in Houston many years ago on tour with Billy Cobham on drums and the Brothers Johnson on bass and guitar. Unbelievable show.
The man had the magic.
__________________
8thnote
www.eighthnoteproductions.com
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7th June 2006
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#25 | | Gear maniac
Joined: May 2003 Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 175
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He also wrote "You Are So Beautiful To Me" the song Joe Cocker recorded.
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7th June 2006
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#26 | | Gearslutz.com admin
Joined: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Remoteness Here's what AP wrote...
By BOB CHRISTIE
Associated Press Writer
Preston also toured and recorded extensively with the Rolling Stones, playing on such classic albums as "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street." | Amen....
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7th June 2006
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#27 | | Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002 Location: NYC |
One of my favorite songs from Billy...
I've got a song that ain't got no melody.
I'm gonna sing it to my friends.
Will it go around in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?
I've got a story, ain't got no moral.
Let the bad guy win, every once in a while.
Will it go around in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?
I've got a dance that ain't got no steps, no.
Gonna let the music move me around.
Will it go around in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky...
That tune really grooves.
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7th June 2006
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#28 | | Jai guru deva om
Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina
Posts: 12,996
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RIP
I just love what he did for the Beatles!
War   | |
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7th June 2006
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#29 | | Lives for gear
Joined: Nov 2002 Location: Bucks County/Philly, PA |
Can't forget the 1975 Stones album Black and Blue. The song Melody...great piano featuring Mick and Billy on weaving vocals.
The subsequent 75 Stones tour featured Billy as well. Besides being the "fake afro" wigged keyboard/sidekick on stage he was featured in each Stones set doing 2 of his own songs. Looked like a lot fun up there.
I had the pleasure of briefly working with him around 87 or so during or around a Gladys Knight album we were doing. Somewhere in Nashville my buddy has a video of that session. It was exciting to meet such a talented guy along with the history be brought with him.
I listen to a song like Get Back and realize that 3 of the 5 guys on that record are gone. What a drag it is...
RIP
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7th June 2006
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#30 | | Gear addict
Joined: Jul 2004 Location: LA
Posts: 461
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One of my favorites. He will be missed. R.I.P.
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