Singer-songwriter Billy Preston dead at 59

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060606/ap_on_en_mu/obit_preston

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.

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, who had battled chronic kidney failure, had undergone a kidney transplant in 2002, but the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis treatments ever since, Moore said earlier this year

He was an outstanding musician. I loved him on "Get BacK" and those sessions, and at George's concert for Bangla Desh.

Billy really injected some life when the Beatles were at the end of the line. A great career overall.

RIP, Billy. You'll be missed...Rock on... :headbang:

:cry:

at Harrison's concert for Bangladesh (along with Clapton and many other greats) that was posted at YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MevbEPprKA8

He joins that great gig in the sky. RIP Billy.

Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky....

Edit: Almost forgot - we had With You I'm Born Again as one of our weddings songs. This is a sad day. :cry:

RIP Billy.

Sid

Ahh that is so sad. I loved him. RIP Billy and thanks for all the great music. :cry:

RIP Billy.

RIP and God bless and keep you.

I always liked his songs - they were really tight - meaning his production and arrangements were always spot on perfection. I didn't know he had been in a coma, nor did I know he suffered with chronic kidney failure.

Preston was a great artist, and he has left many wonderful songs to remind us of his talent.

RIP, Billy. And thanks for the music.

as a young person. The days were long and the sky was always blue.

to Will it Go Round in Circles. You're right. All was right with the world.

:cry:

RIP Billy...

That's very strange. He toured with Eric Clapton a few years back, which we saw here in L.A., and for some reason I was thinking of him a few days ago. How odd that concert, and him in particular, should come to mind just days before he passed. Very sad. He was so talented.

Where's the justice in the fact that Osama is still dragging his dialysis machine all over the Middle East?

"You gotta have something if you want to be with me."

favorite musicians!!!

:cry:

he was pure genius!

I'm glad his passing was peaceful.
He had the biggest smile.
RIP Billy

Gone too soon. RIP.

RIP Billy. :(

That's what some English (or was he Scottish) bloke I knew called a big afro.

Was the Dark Horse tour, '73-'74. Seats were in the arena over the tunnel the musicians used to reach the stage. The girl next to us yelled down to him and will never forget the sight of his huge grin and 'fro when he looked up and waved. A truly gifted musician and human being.

Also, my all time favorite concert. Harrison had a lot of his friends (Billy, Leon, parts of Badfinger, etc.) and Ravi Shankar with about 20 Indian musicians backing the 12-15 rockers. Great sound system and 2-3 hours of glorious music. As the folks came and went from the back of the stage, they were literally dancing as they returned to join the players.

I wish I could have been there, but I was 11 and lived in Miami.

man that is sad

CB

Good music.

He rocked...

Recalling good times and good memories. I loved his music.




edit for typo

Your music and soul will live on.

I'm sad at your passing but still rejoicing in your wonderful music.

Trippin' up electric lights
I'll take you places you ain't gone before
I've got a formula for givin' the lights
Better, girl, stick with me

Take my hand and hold on tight
This rollercoaster's gonna go all night
Too damn good, this love, it must be a crime
Let us go where no one's gone before

Born under a brilliant star
Stay with me, we can't go wrong
I don't care who's listening
Come on, help me sing along

Daring you on the count of three
You're gonna feel like you're royalty
I'll storm the palace and make you my queen
Let us go where no one's gone before, yeah!

Born under a brilliant star
Stay with me we can't go wrong
I don't care who's listening
Come on, help me sing along

Take my hand with all your might
Time for you and I to settle the score
Our future's out there and we're getting it right
Let us go where no one's gone before

Let us go where no one's gone before
Let us go where no one else has gone before

and thanks for all the music.

Any other Hammond players in the house? Let's remember to play one for Billy. Truly one of the greats...a musician of whom the world, and definitely today's current pop "music" culture, was not worthy.

Billy will be missed.

Todd in Beerbratistan

And Billy was one of the absolute best.

The range of artists he worked with - from Mahalia Jackson to Ray Charles to the Beatles and Stones - was a testament to how immense his talent was.

Like someone upthread said, this is a sad day.

- as

Well I'm glad at least SOMEONE in this house remembers him...

I think the great music of yesteryear is lost upon the younger generation.

(By the way, I'm 22, and my roommate is 23)

A lot of my current students (that are your age) are into what is now called classic rock (but is just rock-n-roll to me).

that he got out of his sick bed to lay a track for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.


RIP
Billy Preston

Nothing from Nothing is playing in my head right now. Loved that silly old song. R.I.P.

Great keyboardist. Very genuine.

Had The Beatles stayed together they would have announce Billy Preston as an official member of the band.

How lovely the thought of him joining George and John on the other side.

Godspeed, Beatle Billy!

you will truly be missed. I will miss your music and that incredbile smile of yours as you sang and performed either with the Beatles or on your own.

God speed....:cry:

I really enjoyed his music...R-I-P Billy

I think it was in 03.

04.. and he didn't seem himself

To Star Dust when you return back into the universe.

I'm so glad you got to share your talents with us. You made the world a little brighter, Star Brother....

You will be missed Billy, RIP!O8)

.

The B3 is special .... and Preston played it like an Stradavarius....

RIP Billy .....

you here-

He expressed feelings through music so well-
An inspiration to generations of musicians-
RIP--

May you rest in peace!

He made all the musicians around him better - from the Beatles to Harry Nillson to Clapton. Then there were the times when he was the headliner. He was one of my all time favorites. He had such energy and vitality and he put it all into his music. I played his records so often that I wore down the grooves on the vinyl.

He will be missed.

are attatched to "Will It Go 'Round in Circles".

They were playing Nothing from Nothing on the radio.

Sad. RIP Billy.

His performance of "That's the Way" on "Bangladesh" is truly inspiring (including his little dance!). And then his version of "My Sweet Lord" on the "Concert for George" is as good, if not better, than George's. What a voice! What a touch and what a humility. Bless his soul.

album.

Rest in peace, dear Mr. Preston.

:(

I'm cueing his version from Concert for George.

Thanks for sharing, Patsy. :cry: