Singer-Songwriter Billy Preston dead at 59 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Jazz · 06-06-2006, 02:19 PM

Singer-songwriter Billy Preston dead at 59

By BOB CHRISTIE, Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX - Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including "Outta Space" and "Nothing From Nothing," died Tuesday at 59.

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Preston's longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said Preston had been in a coma since November in a care facility and was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale Saturday after his condition deteriorated.

"He had a very, very beautiful last few hours and a really beautiful passing," Moore said by telephone from Germany. "He went home good."

Preston had battled chronic kidney failure, and he received a kidney transplant in 2002. But the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis ever since, Moore said earlier this year.

Known for his big smile and towering Afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?"

He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again," a duet with Syreeta Wright.

He also wrote Joe Cocker's weeper, "You Are So Beautiful," and co-wrote with Quincy Jones the score for 1970 movie "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs." Other achievements included being a musical guest on the 1975 debut of "Saturday Night Live," and having a song named after him by Miles Davis. Among his film credits: "Blues Brothers 2000" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."

Preston's partnership with the Beatles began in early 1969 when friend George Harrison recruited him to play on "Let It Be," a back-to-basics film and record project that nearly broke down because of feuding among band members. Harrison himself quit at one point, walking out on camera after arguing with Paul McCartney.

Preston not only inspired the Beatles to get along — Harrison likened his effect to a feuding family staying on its best behavior in front of a guest — but contributed a light, bluesy solo to "Get Back," performing the song with the band on its legendary "roof top" concert, the last time the Beatles played live. He was one of many sometimes labeled "The Fifth Beatle."

Preston remained close to Harrison and performed at Harrison's all-star charity event, "The Concert for Bangladesh" and at the "Concert for George," a tribute to Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. He played on solo records by Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.

Preston also toured and recorded extensively with the Rolling Stones, playing on such classic albums as "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street." In the mid-'70s, he parted from the Stones, reportedly unhappy over not getting proper credit for "Melody" and other songs. He reunited with the band in 1997 on its "Bridges to Babylon" record.

His sessions credits included Aretha Franklin's "Young, Gifted and Black," Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" and Sly and Family Stone's "There's a Riot Goin' On," three of the most acclaimed albums of the past 35 years.

The Houston native earned his performance chops at age 10 playing the keyboard for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and at 12 portraying a young W. C. Handy in the 1958 biopic "St. Louis Blues." He toured with mentors and fellow piano greats Ray Charles and Little Richard in the early 1960s, first encountering the Beatles while on the road in Germany.

Preston had numerous personal troubles in recent years. In 1992, he was given a suspended jail sentence, but ordered incarcerated for nine months at a drug rehabilitation center for his no-contest pleas to cocaine and assault charges. Five years later, he was sentenced to three years in prison for violating probation. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against other defendants in an alleged scam that netted about $1 million.

Ireneparalegal · 06-06-2006, 02:40 PM

OMG!I didn't even know he was sick. I love his music. I have a lot of his music on my music player. What a loss. May he rest in peace.

gilligan fanatic · 06-06-2006, 02:53 PM

I don't know many of his songs, but one I really like a lot is a tribute to Marty Robbins he sang called "He Sang the Songs About El Paso". I hope someone makes a tribute song for Billy Preston.

phoebe7165 · 06-06-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

OMG!I didn't even know he was sick. I love his music. I have a lot of his music on my music player. What a loss. May he rest in peace.

I didn't know he was sick, neither. I liked alot of his music, especially "You Are So Beautiful", even though he didn't sing it. I think the last thing I saw him on was American Idol Season 4 finale. The music world has lost another great talent. RIP Billy.

musicradio77 · 06-06-2006, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

I didn't know he was sick, neither. I liked alot of his music, especially "You Are So Beautiful", even though he didn't sing it. I think the last thing I saw him on was American Idol Season 4 finale. The music world has lost another great talent. RIP Billy.

You're right! Billy Preston wrote "You Are So Beautiful" and it became a hit for Joe Cocker back in the 70's. Billy Preston had two songs on a single 45, "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down". He did "Outta Space", "Will It Go 'Round In Circles", "Nothing For Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again" with one of Steve Wonder's friend Syreeta. He was great when he was with the Beatles in 1969 during their "Let It Be/Get Back" sessions. He first had a minor hit with "That's the Way God Planned It". I've never heard that song. RIP.

Jrnygrl · 06-06-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicradio77

You're right! Billy Preston wrote "You Are So Beautiful" and it became a hit for Joe Cocker back in the 70's. Billy Preston had two songs on a single 45, "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down". He did "Outta Space", "Will It Go 'Round In Circles", "Nothing For Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again" with one of Steve Wonder's friend Syreeta. He was great when he was with the Beatles in 1969 during their "Let It Be/Get Back" sessions. He first had a minor hit with "That's the Way God Planned It". I've never heard that song. RIP.

I love all these songs. He was also a child prodigy on the keys.

REST IN PEACE BILLY!

Tuesday Weld · 06-06-2006, 06:09 PM

I didn't realize he was sick, either.

phoebe7165 · 06-06-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicradio77

He did "Outta Space", "Will It Go 'Round In Circles", "Nothing For Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again" with one of Steve Wonder's friend Syreeta.

I think Stevie Wonder & Syreeta were more than friends. Weren't they married at one time??

snl 70s show fan · 06-06-2006, 07:09 PM

i always liked him .alot of people problay dont remember that he was the very first musical guest on saturday night live way back in 1975 he will be missed

snl 70s show fan · 06-06-2006, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snl 70s show fan

i always liked him .alot of people problay dont remember that he was the very first musical guest on saturday night live way back in 1975 he will be missed

sorry i did see that the saturday night apperence was listed in the obit

Steve M. · 06-06-2006, 08:01 PM

I knew he was ill, but it still hurts to hear he has died. RIP.

LadyBee · 06-06-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phoebe7165

I think Stevie Wonder & Syreeta were more than friends. Weren't they married at one time??

Yup. She died a couple years ago too.

Steve M. · 06-07-2006, 10:27 AM

Was Syreeta Wright the mother of Aisha Morris (the subject of "Isn't She Lovely")?

LadyBee · 06-07-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve M.

Was Syreeta Wright the mother of Aisha Morris (the subject of "Isn't She Lovely")?

No. Aisha's mother's first name is Yolanda, who I believe was Stevie's second wife.

I don't think Syreeta and Stevie had any children together.

Ohio8 · 06-07-2006, 12:40 PM

Re: his "SNL" apperance. Billy played "Nothing from Nothing," but I forgot the name of the other song he played that show. I laways thought that "Outta Space"'s name was "Space Race." He was one of the greats.......

06-06-2006, 02:19 PM	#1
Dr. Jazz The Evil Empire. . . . Forum Star Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 11,101	Singer-Songwriter Billy Preston dead at 59 Singer-songwriter Billy Preston dead at 59 By BOB CHRISTIE, Associated Press Writer PHOENIX - Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including "Outta Space" and "Nothing From Nothing," died Tuesday at 59. ADVERTISEMENT Preston's longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said Preston had been in a coma since November in a care facility and was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale Saturday after his condition deteriorated. "He had a very, very beautiful last few hours and a really beautiful passing," Moore said by telephone from Germany. "He went home good." Preston had battled chronic kidney failure, and he received a kidney transplant in 2002. But the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis ever since, Moore said earlier this year. Known for his big smile and towering Afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?" He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again," a duet with Syreeta Wright. He also wrote Joe Cocker's weeper, "You Are So Beautiful," and co-wrote with Quincy Jones the score for 1970 movie "They Call Me Mr. Tibbs." Other achievements included being a musical guest on the 1975 debut of "Saturday Night Live," and having a song named after him by Miles Davis. Among his film credits: "Blues Brothers 2000" and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Preston's partnership with the Beatles began in early 1969 when friend George Harrison recruited him to play on "Let It Be," a back-to-basics film and record project that nearly broke down because of feuding among band members. Harrison himself quit at one point, walking out on camera after arguing with Paul McCartney. Preston not only inspired the Beatles to get along — Harrison likened his effect to a feuding family staying on its best behavior in front of a guest — but contributed a light, bluesy solo to "Get Back," performing the song with the band on its legendary "roof top" concert, the last time the Beatles played live. He was one of many sometimes labeled "The Fifth Beatle." Preston remained close to Harrison and performed at Harrison's all-star charity event, "The Concert for Bangladesh" and at the "Concert for George," a tribute to Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. He played on solo records by Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon. Preston also toured and recorded extensively with the Rolling Stones, playing on such classic albums as "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile on Main Street." In the mid-'70s, he parted from the Stones, reportedly unhappy over not getting proper credit for "Melody" and other songs. He reunited with the band in 1997 on its "Bridges to Babylon" record. His sessions credits included Aretha Franklin's "Young, Gifted and Black," Bob Dylan's "Blood on the Tracks" and Sly and Family Stone's "There's a Riot Goin' On," three of the most acclaimed albums of the past 35 years. The Houston native earned his performance chops at age 10 playing the keyboard for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and at 12 portraying a young W. C. Handy in the 1958 biopic "St. Louis Blues." He toured with mentors and fellow piano greats Ray Charles and Little Richard in the early 1960s, first encountering the Beatles while on the road in Germany. Preston had numerous personal troubles in recent years. In 1992, he was given a suspended jail sentence, but ordered incarcerated for nine months at a drug rehabilitation center for his no-contest pleas to cocaine and assault charges. Five years later, he was sentenced to three years in prison for violating probation. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against other defendants in an alleged scam that netted about $1 million.

06-06-2006, 02:40 PM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	OMG!I didn't even know he was sick. I love his music. I have a lot of his music on my music player. What a loss. May he rest in peace.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

06-06-2006, 02:53 PM	#3
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	I don't know many of his songs, but one I really like a lot is a tribute to Marty Robbins he sang called "He Sang the Songs About El Paso". I hope someone makes a tribute song for Billy Preston.
	__________________ Matt Filmaf ~ Twitter ~ Last.FM

06-06-2006, 06:09 PM	#7
Tuesday Weld I missed you all. hugs Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Having a great time. Posts: 22,285	I didn't realize he was sick, either.
	__________________ Cindy Formerly musicrocksmyworld, ElvisDustyfan and vintagetvgirl. After one look at this planet any visitor from outer space would say "I want to see the manager." - William S. Burroughs

06-06-2006, 07:09 PM	#9
snl 70s show fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2005 Location: in the forman basment Posts: 2,454	i always liked him .alot of people problay dont remember that he was the very first musical guest on saturday night live way back in 1975 he will be missed

06-06-2006, 08:01 PM	#11
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,307	I knew he was ill, but it still hurts to hear he has died. RIP.

06-07-2006, 10:27 AM	#13
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,307	Was Syreeta Wright the mother of Aisha Morris (the subject of "Isn't She Lovely")?

06-07-2006, 12:40 PM	#15
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,966	Re: his "SNL" apperance. Billy played "Nothing from Nothing," but I forgot the name of the other song he played that show. I laways thought that "Outta Space"'s name was "Space Race." He was one of the greats.......