Goodbye Billy

In 1964, New York disc jockey Murray the K proclaimed himself "the Fifth Beatle". The monicker has since been given to many people closely associated with the Fab Four: producer George Martin, the late Stu Sutcliffe (who truly was the fifth Beatle - there were literally five band member when he was a Beatle), former drummer Pete Best, Brian Epstein...

Today, we mark the passing of perhaps the most deserving person to hold the title "Fifth Beatle". Keyboardist Billy Preston passed away today after a prolonged battle with kidnet failure. He was 59.

In the 1960's and 70's, Billy Preston had several hits, including "Will It Go Round In Circles", "Nothing From Nothing", "That's The Way God Planned It", "Billy's Bag" and "Outa Space" (which won him a Grammy).

Even if the name Billy Preston doesn't immediately ring a bell with you, his organ playing will. You have undoubtedly heard Billy's work, even if you weren't aware of it. He wrote "You Are So Beautiful", a song made classic by Joe Cocker.

Billy also appeared as the most famous sideman The Beatles ever employed (indeed, he was even given equal credit on their "Get Back" single). He appeared on their last two albums, Abbey Road and Let It Be, and it's Billy's handiwork you hear on such classics as "Something", "The Long And Winding Road", "Don't Let Me Down", "Come Together", and the aforemetioned "Let It Be" and "Get Back". Likewise, Billy appeared on a great number of John, George and Ringo's solo albums. If you hear an organ on one of their 1970's solo hits, chances are you're hearing Billy Preston. He also appeared at The Concert for Bangla Desh and, more recently, The Concert for George. (He also had a role in the awful Bee Gees movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1978 - a gig he probably would rather not include on his otherwise impressive resume).

But, The Beatles weren't the only band Billy played with. He toured and recorded with The Rolling Stones throughout the 1970's, and can be heard on their classic hit "Miss You", as well as all their 1970's albums. Along with The Stones, he appeared on Eric Clapton's No Reason To Cry, Bob Dylan's classic Blood On The Tracks (including the hit "Tangled Up In Blue"), several hits by Sly & The Family Stone, and - most recently and amazingly - the latest Neil Diamond and Red Hot Chili Peppers discs. Billy was also the first ever musical guest on NBC's Saturday Night Live in 1975.

Billy's career began at age 10, playing organ for gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in 1956. Two years later he played a young W.C Handy in the 1958 film St. Louis Blues. In the early and mid-1960's, he played with Little Richard and James Brown, and appeared regularly on ABC-TV's pop music program Shindig.

I had the privilege of seeing Billy Preston back in 1989, when he played as part Ringo Starr's first All-Starr Band. Billy's showmanship was fantastic, and he had no trouble holding his own with the likes of Joe Walsh, Clarence Clemons, Dr. John, and The Band's Rick Danko and Levon Helm (whom I had the pleasure of meeting before the show).

The music world will certainly be a sadder place without Billy Preston.