Billy Preston

Billy Preston (September 2, 1946 - June 5, 2006) was an American R&B musician. He is best known for his piano and organ playing.

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, bandleader, actor
Instruments	Keyboards, organ, piano, electric piano, vocals, harpsichord, accordion, drums
Years active	1956–2005
Labels	Derby, Vee-Jay, Apple Records, Capitol, Buddah, A&M, Motown
Associated acts	Sam Cooke, The Beatles, Sly & the Family Stone, King Curtis, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton
Website	Billy Preston.net

Preston began playing piano when he was three years old. He worked with many other musicians including Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, the Jackson 5 and the Rolling Stones.

He worked on The Beatles's last album, Let It Be, in 1969, including the song "Get Back". Many people thought that Preston would join the group, but the Beatles broke up shortly afterwards. He later worked with George Harrison, who had been a Beatle.

Preston's biggest success also came from working with another musician. He did a duet with Syreeta Garrett on "With You I'm Born Again" in 1979. It sold over a million copies and reached Number 2 in the United Kingdom singles chart.

Preston was gay. He died of respiratory failure after being in a coma from a heart infection.

Billy Preston Media

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  Preston singing at the piano in 1971

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  Preston (seated behind grand piano in foreground) performing with the Rolling Stones in 1975