Billy Preston
Billy Preston Billy Preston visiting the White House in 1974 Background information Birth name William Everett Preston Born (1946-09-02)September 2, 1946 Houston, Texas, United States Died June 6, 2006(2006-06-06) (aged 59) Scottsdale, Arizona, United States Genres Rhythm and blues, rock, soul, funk, gospel Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter, producer, actor Instruments Vocals, organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, keyboards, accordion, drums Years active 1956–2005 Labels Derby, Vee-Jay, Capitol, Apple, Buddah, A&M, Motown Associated acts Little Richard, Syreeta, Sam Cooke, the Beatles, Sly & the Family Stone, Mahalia Jackson, King Curtis, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Eric Clapton Website Billy Preston.net Notable instruments Hammond B3 organ Baldwin Piano Fender Rhodes Electric Piano William Everett "Billy" Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work included R&B, rock, soul, funk and gospel. A virtuoso keyboardist, particularly on Hammond organ, Preston was recognized as a top session musician in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and the Beatles. He then went on to achieve fame as a solo artist, with hit pop singles including "That's the Way God Planned It", "Outa-Space", "Will It Go Round in Circles", "Space Race", and "Nothing from Nothing". In addition, Preston co-wrote "You Are So Beautiful", which became a number 5 hit for Joe Cocker. Preston continued to record and perform with other artists, notably George Harrison after the Beatles' break-up, and Eric Clapton, and he played keyboards for the Rolling Stones on many of the group's albums and tours during the 1970s. Alongside Tony Sheridan, Preston was the only other musician to be credited on a Beatles recording: the artists on the number-one hit "Get Back" are given as "The Beatles with Billy Preston". Since Sheridan was labeled alongside "The Beat Brothers", Preston is, strictly speaking, the only artist to be labeled explicitly with "The Beatles". Stephen Stills asked Preston if he could use his phrase "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" and created the hit song.