When I heard this today I had to listen to Billy performing "My Sweet Lord" at the Concert for George. It never fails to give me the chills it's that good. In my mind's eye I can see that giant smile right now.
Billy was indeed one of those known as "The Fifth Beatle" and he loved that title.
Nothin' from nothin' may mean nothin', but Billy was always somethin'. That's going to be one amazing jam session up there. Rock on and rest in peace dear Billy.
A nice bio of Billy, and a great shot of him from "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (the film): link
I am far from familiar with everything in his cataloge, but for those of you who know nothing about him;
One of my favorites is "King Curtis LIVE at fillmore west". Very cool. King Curtis accompanied by King Billy Preston.
Not many people know this, but Joe Cocker's hit song 'You're So Beautiful' was written by Billy Preston.
Yesterday on Howard Stern they played some of Billy Preston's most famous songs. He was a brilliant songwriter and performer.
R.I.P. Billy "The 5th Beatle" Preston
deleted user 07.06.2006 10:43
I'm gonna put on 'Concert For Bangladesh' in his tribute. Great musician, great loss.
Mr.Jingles wrote: Not many people know this, but Joe Cocker's hit song 'You're So Beautiful' was written by Billy Preston.
Yesterday on Howard Stern they played some of Billy Preston's most famous songs. He was a brilliant songwriter and performer.
R.I.P. Billy "The 5th Beatle" Preston
Mr.Jingles wrote: Not many people know this, but Joe Cocker's hit song 'You're So Beautiful' was written by Billy Preston.
Yesterday on Howard Stern they played some of Billy Preston's most famous songs. He was a brilliant songwriter and performer.
R.I.P. Billy "The 5th Beatle" Preston
Billy was always a great guest on Howard's show.
Howard mentioned that since he recently he settled his lawsuit with CBS, now he'll be able to play his CBS material on Sirius. He promised that one of the first things he'll play will be the interviews with Billy Preston.
Billy Preston helped ease the tensions between The Beatles as they were heading closer to a break-up.
Sadly that didn't stop Yoko from breaking them up.
Mr.Jingles wrote: Billy Preston helped ease the tensions between The Beatles as they were heading closer to a break-up.
Sadly that didn't stop Yoko from breaking them up.
It's not nearly so simple. Yoko was part of it, but there were other things.
1) George being pissed off because he only got two songs per album.
2) Ringo feeling like he was taken for granted.
3) Brian Epstein dying. John Lennon once said, when Brian died, that was it. But McCartney wanted to take over, and have Linda's dad manage them. They all grew to resent Paul. But Paul/George/Ringo resented John for him wanting to make Yoko an equal voice in the making of Beatles music. I'm sure there were other factors, too. Apple Records was a complete mess, if I recall correctly.
Too true. Yoko almost seems to be the worlds scapegoat because they're not fond of slurring the names of their favourite Liverpudlians.
They were all fairly stoppy individuals anyway...like four dark horses pulling in 4 directions.
I know John resented Linda's influence in the band, but John made things even worse when he allowed Yoko to come to all the recording sessions.
At least Paul knew that there was time for The Beatles and there was a time for Linda.
However, the other points Bob (Sir GH) mentioned did as well help to create inestability and a bad environment within the band.