Sign In
 
 
 
Close Window

Billy Preston

About

A child prodigy on the piano and organ, Billy Preston started his career backing gospel singer Mahalia Jackson in the mid-1950s at the young age of 10. Blessed with an abundance of talent and a wildly soulful style, he soon found himself in high demand. In the '60s, he began releasing solo LPs, toured with Little Richard, Sam Cooke and Ray Charles, and played with the Beatles on Let It Be, Abbey Road and The White Album. In 1969, he teamed up with Eric Clapton, Keith Richards and Ginger Baker for the eclectic and excellent record That's the Way God Planned It. He also performed at George Harrison's benefit Concert for Bangladesh in 1970. His biggest hit singles, "Outa-Space" and "Will It Go Round in Circles," appeared a few years later. Preston continued to play and record extensively over the decades, collaborating with the Rolling Stones, Syreeta Wright, and Sly and the Family Stone, among others. He also penned Joe Cocker's smash hit "You Are So Beautiful," and appeared in movies like The Blues Brothers. He recorded for Motown in the late '70s and early '80s, and still releases new material for various gospel labels.

- Brolin Winning

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Similar Artists

 
 
 
 
 

Filed Under

 
 
 
 
 

Tracks

305 Available

 
 
 
 
maintain a column
 

Albums

79 Available

 
 
 
 
 

Electronics

Check out the latest Rhapsody compatible
home audio systems and portable players.

Software

Download Rhapsody Software to manage all your digital music.
AMG - Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
© 2001-2009 Listen.com, a subsidiary of RealNetworks