Legends of Piano - Billy Preston

This week we focus the spotlight on the "Fifth Beatle", Mr. Billy Preston.

A child prodigy on the keyboard, who played sessions for the likes of Little Richard and Ray Charles (themselves no slouches on the keys...), he went on to have a solo career with hits including "WILL IT GO ROUND IN CIRCLES" and "NOTHING FROM NOTHING".

His fingerwork can be heard on records including "GET BACK" by The Beatles, where he is credited as co-artist, multiple LPs for the Rolling Stones (including two of their greatest records, Exile on Main St. and Sticky Fingers), and Elton John's Songs From the West Coast.

As a songwriter, he co-wrote the Joe Cocker hit "YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL" and when he uttered the phrase, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with" he unknowingly inspired the Crosby Stills & Nash hit, "LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH".

Eric Clapton, Johnny Cash and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have all benefitted from his unique blend of soul, funk and rock on their recordings. His touring resume' included acts as diverse as Steve Winwood, The Band and Ringo Starr.

His catalog of work on piano, organ, clavinet and electric piano, just to name a few, is a compendium of gospel and R&B licks that propelled rock's greats and gave schooling to it's future.

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