I just heard he passed away today.

He was always kinda cool. Sorry to hear the news.
more info at his website:
http://www.billypreston.net/

Sadly,Touhy's news is true :( .
Check CNN.com under entertainment news.

Billy Preston passed away today at an undisclosed Scottsdale,AZ hospital. He was 59.

It's not just sad for me but also ironic.

Billy played keyboard on the 1969 Beatles song,"Get Back" which was the top song in the U.S. the week I turned 1,(37 years ago at this time),so I count he as well as the fab four in that case.

His,"Will It Go 'Round In Circles" and "Nothing From Nothing" were also some songs I heard in my early years and never forgot.

I also just about 3 months ago watched the Concert For Bangledesh in which he took part along with George H. I even bought the 20th century masters CD of his hits this year too.

One particular TV moment I rememeber in 1987 featuring him. He was on this teen-age dance show and singing "Get Back" and tried to urge (the kids then in my age group) to sing along in John Lennon's memory.
They unfortunatley kind of ignored him,from what I gathered in their expressions. :rolleyes:

A musician who got to be the 5th Beatle certainly deserved respect then as he does today. Rest in peace Billy. With your music always there,you can always be born again.

Billy Preston's Top 40 Hits:

1. #1 Get Back - The Beatles & Billy Preston 1969
2. #2 Outa-Space -(Instrumental) 1972
3. #1 Will It Go Round In Circles - Summer 1973 (Following Paul M. & George H. by the way.)
4. #4 Space Race - (Inst.) Fall 1973
5. #1 Nothing From Nothing -Summer 1974
6. #22 Struttin' -Jan./Feb. 1975 (Inst. )
7. #4 With You I'm Born Again (featuring Syreeta) Spring 1980.

[ June 06, 2006, 19:33: Message edited by: Borderstone ]

I was barely 16 then and that song is seared into my memory as one of my favorites ever. What a great summer ! Anyway, it wouldn't have been the same without his keyboard magic on it.

Bill :)

I quite forgot that I saved the address of the UK's Daily telegraph obit for Billy.
http://www.geocities.com/beatlesongwriting/preston.jpg
with Paul and George
I had meant to email it to Rex The Rez who had previously emailed me and others about Billy's passing so I hope Rex that you still visit here and see this.If you do be a good chap and tell us you are OK albeit busy tending to your dear mother in her time of need. the obit is at:-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main..._08062006prest
John Fowles
http://www.urbannetwork.com/grfx/new...%20Preston.jpg
on a page
Remembering Billy Preston
Reminiscing on Brother Billy Preston at:-
http://www.urbannetwork.com/cms/index.php?news=607
which has a nice embedded duet playing
difficult to hear on a dial up
what is it Walter.. anybody

[ June 09, 2006, 17:36: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

That's an excellent photo out-take from,"Let It Be", John. :)

I haven't seen that film in over a decade,I'm gong to rent it and watch Billy & the guys in action one more time. ;) :cool:

By the way,it was kidney failure and a few really bad years of declining health that was the cause. :(

He'd have been 60 in about 3 or 4 months.