Soul musician, born September 2, 1946, Houston, Texas. He died June 6, 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona. Preston was an American rhythm and blues musician from Houston, Texas: raised mostly in Los Angeles, California. In addition to his successful, Grammy Award-winning career as a solo artist, Preston collaborated with some of the greatest names in the music industry, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Eric Burdon, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, King Curtis, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, the Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Mick Jagger, Richie Sambora, Sly Stone, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ringo Starr. He played the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the Hammond organ on the 'Get Back' sessions in 1969. Preston and Tony Sheridan are the only two non-Beatles to receive billing as an artist alongside the Beatles on an official Beatles record release. The label of the Get Back single credits the artists on the record as The Beatles with Billy Preston.
(4 November 1997) Starts 3 year jail term for bail violation.
Musician.
Was invited by George Harrison to join The Beatles (whom hed met on tour years earlier) in the studio, as they filmed and recorded Let It Be . The reason given was because the project was being done live, without overdubs, and they wanted a second keyboardist; his soulful style would complement the rhythm-and-blues songs theyd grown up on (and were reaching back to) perfectly. Another reason for his presence was to buffer the tensions growing among the Beatles, since filming began; everyone laid aside their differences, to make Preston feel welcome at the sessions.
While he was never considered for permanent membership in The Beatles (despite stories to the contrary), he did continue his involvement with them through the end of the 1960s. Preston released two solo albums through Apple Records (The Beatles label), collaborated with George Harrison on "All Things Must Pass" and The Concert for Bangladesh , and later appeared in the all-star Beatles tribute Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band , as the title character Sgt. Pepper.
Received a kidney transplant in 2002.
Remained close to George Harrison until his death in 2001.
Began performing with Mahalia Jackson when he was just 10 years old.
Sometimes labeled The Fifth Beatle.
Ernestine Wade , who played Sapphire Stevens on the TV series "The Amos n Andy Show" , is widely--and incorrectly--reported as being his mother. His real mothers name is Robbie Lee Williams, who died February 2, 2005.
He was the only guest musician to receive credit on a record by The Beatles.
