Billy Preston - R.I.P.

BklynBlue · #1 06-06-2006, 01:23 PM

Another man done gone -
We lost another one today - after a long battle with kidney failure, Billy Preston died today -
A child prodigy, he scored a number of hit singles in the early seventies and was last heard backing Eric Clapton on his 2004 CD "Me and Mr. Johnson".

If you are an old-timer, and still have a turntable, dig out your 45 rpm copy of "Outa-Space" and give it a spin and bid a fond farewell for the man with the giant Afro and gap tooth grin.

R I P

becca · #2 06-06-2006, 01:26 PM

He was a pretty darn cool keyboard player.

Thanks for letting us know. I just read Link Wray also passed away not long ago.

DrummerDeanna · #3 06-06-2006, 01:29 PM

Oh man

sad news indeed.

cliffdweller · #4 06-06-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becca

I just read Link Wray also passed away not long ago.

Oh man, really? My husband will be very sad to hear this news

.

bretonbanquet · #5 06-06-2006, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BklynBlue

Another man done gone -
We lost another one today - after a long battle with kidney failure, Billy Preston died today -
A child prodigy, he scored a number of hit singles in the early seventies and was last heard backing Eric Clapton on his 2004 CD "Me and Mr. Johnson".

If you are an old-timer, and still have a turntable, dig out your 45 rpm copy of "Outa-Space" and give it a spin and bid a fond farewell for the man with the giant Afro and gap tooth grin.

R I P

Man, that is sad

He's mainly known over here for being the 'extra Beatle' on "Get Back" etc.

chiliD · #6 06-06-2006, 01:47 PM

It IS sad.

How many people can say that they've played with...

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Eric Clapton
Bob Dylan
Ray Charles
Little Richard
Sly & The Family Stone
Aretha Franklin
Mahalia Jackson
The Jackson 5
Quincy Jones
Barbra Streisand
Sammy Davis, Jr.

...that's one damned fine resume'.

"Outta Space"?!? Sure, but that's the LEAST known of his hits..."Nothin' From Nothin'" & "Will It Go Round In Circles", I think, were more popular.

Rock on, Billy, we'll miss you.

MiniLindsey · #7 06-06-2006, 02:31 PM

Long live the music!

estranged4life · #8 06-06-2006, 05:53 PM

that he was the first musical guest ever on Saturday Night Live.

RIP Billy

"Nothing from Nothing"!!!

DavidMn · #9 06-06-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiliD

It IS sad.

How many people can say that they've played with...

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
Eric Clapton
Bob Dylan
Ray Charles
Little Richard
Sly & The Family Stone
Aretha Franklin
Mahalia Jackson
The Jackson 5
Quincy Jones
Barbra Streisand
Sammy Davis, Jr.

...that's one damned fine resume'.

"Outta Space"?!? Sure, but that's the LEAST known of his hits..."Nothin' From Nothin'" & "Will It Go Round In Circles", I think, were more popular.

Rock on, Billy, we'll miss you.

Indeed that is very impressive.

Livia · #10 06-06-2006, 09:48 PM

This makes me very sad...I need to go light a candle for him...

RIP, Mr. Preston.

SteveMacD · #11 06-07-2006, 09:40 AM

I saw him on July 12, 2004 with Eric Clapton. I knew that Preston was in the band, so seeing the two "fifth Beatles" was amazing. Preston blew me away. To say he was amazing would be an understatement.

I was very upset with the news that he had passed. I couldn't help but play "Get Back" several times yesterday. He is a talent that will be missed.

BTFLCHLD · #12 06-07-2006, 10:24 AM

chiliD · #13 06-07-2006, 10:41 AM

It just makes me wonder why Eric didn't let Billy do a couple of numbers during the 2004 shows (unless Billy wasn't up to it). Billy did "Will It Go Round In Circles" & "Nothing From Nothing" during the 2001 Clapton tour set.

During both the 1974 George Harrison and the 1975 Rolling Stones tours, he did a four song set of "WiGRiC", "Nothing From Nothing", "Outta-Space" & "That's The Way God Planned It". Just kicked the shows up a notch.