Billy Preston
Birth name
William Everett Preston
Died
June 6, 2006 (aged 59)
Origin
Houston, Texas, United States
Rhythm and blues, rock, soul, funk, gospel
Occupation(s)
Musician, songwriter, producer, actor
Vocals, organ, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, keyboards, accordion, drums
Derby, Vee-Jay, Apple Records, Capitol, 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 ,
Plastic Ono Band ,
Nicky Hopkins ,
Novecento ,
The Band ,
Johnny Cash ,
Steve Winwood ,
Sam Moore ,
Red Hot Chili Peppers ,
Neil Diamond ,
J.J. Cale ,
Jeff Beck ,
Stevie Wonder ,
Aretha Franklin ,
Peter Frampton ,
Joe Cocker ,
Luther Vandross ,
Helen Baylor ,
Richie Sambora ,
Elton John ,
Joni Mitchell ,
Stephen Stills
William Everett "Billy" Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work included R&B , rock , soul , funk and gospel . Preston became famous first as a session musician with artists such as Little Richard , Sam Cooke , Ray Charles and the Beatles , and was later successful as a solo artist with hit pop singles including "Outa-Space ", its sequel, "Space Race ", "Will It Go Round in Circles " and "Nothing from Nothing ", and a string of albums and guest appearances with Eric Clapton , the Red Hot Chili Peppers and others.
Alongside Tony Sheridan , Billy 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". Stephen Stills asked Preston if he could use Preston's phrase "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with " and created the hit song.
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