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William PrestonKeyboardist, collaborated with The Beatles
Date of Birth: 02.09.1946
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Billy Preston: The Fifth Beatle
- Joining The Beatles
- Solo Success and Collaborations After The Beatles
- Struggles and Resurgence
- Legacy as "The Fifth Beatle"
Billy Preston: The Fifth Beatle
Musical Prodigy and Collaboration with LegendsBorn William Everett Preston Jr. in 1946, Billy Preston was a musical prodigy who began playing the piano at the age of three. He gained early recognition for his work with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Throughout his career, he collaborated with legendary artists such as Nat King Cole, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, and Elton John.
Joining The Beatles
In 1969, George Harrison invited Preston to join The Beatles' recording sessions for the "Get Back" album. Harrison hoped his presence would ease the tension within the band. Instead, Lennon supported making Preston a full-time member, while McCartney opposed the idea. The result was a single credited to "The Beatles and Billy Preston." Preston also played keyboards on "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Something" from the "Abbey Road" album.
Solo Success and Collaborations After The Beatles
Despite The Beatles' dissolution, Preston continued to collaborate with Lennon, Starr, and particularly Harrison, joining him on the Concert for Bangladesh. His solo career also flourished, with funk hits "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from Nothing" reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100. His instrumental "Outa-Space" won a Grammy Award in 1972. Preston remained a keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, notably on albums like "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street."
Struggles and Resurgence
In the 1980s, Preston's career suffered due to alcohol and drug abuse. He regained some momentum in the 1990s with collaborations with Harrison and Eric Clapton. One of his final recordings was "Warlocks" on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album "Stadium Arcadium."
Legacy as "The Fifth Beatle"
Billy Preston's versatile musicianship and collaborations with music giants earned him the nickname "The Fifth Beatle." His contributions to iconic recordings solidified his place in music history as a legendary keyboardist and an influential figure in the rock and soul genres.
