RIP Billy Preston

This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
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BlueChair
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RIP Billy Preston

Post by BlueChair »

It saddens me to report this passing to all of you.

I first became aware of Billy Preston the same way that most of you probably did... for his amazing keyboard work on The Beatles' "Get Back," "Let It Be," and "Don't Let Me Down." He was also a close friend of George Harrison's who appeared on The Concert for Bangledesh.

His own work was awesome too. As recently as last year, Preston had cut a bunch of songs with Joe Henry for the collaborative I Believe To My Soul, which I have raved about on here again and again. I read at the time that Henry was hoping to record a full album with Preston soon.

Apparently Preston had been in a coma for months and ultimately died from chronic kidney failure. He was 59.
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spooky girlfriend
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Post by spooky girlfriend »

I saw that a few minutes ago and didn't end up posting it because a friend of my daughter's came by.

Very sad. :(
Mechanical Grace
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Post by Mechanical Grace »

Aww shit. That's sad indeed.
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Post by bobster »

And let's not forget his great solo hits, particularly "Nothin' from Nothin.'"
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Post by pophead2k »

I loved seeing Billy on the 'Tribute to George' DVD in great voice and his stellar chops in fine form. He'd had a lot of problems but seemed to have it together the last couple years. RIP.
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ReadyToHearTheWorst
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Post by ReadyToHearTheWorst »

Let's not forget Billy's Bag (cut as a teenager, fresh from touring in Ray Charles' band, I believe), and That's the way God Planned it (on Apple, no less).

Even tosh like With You I'm Born Again can't detract from their might and joy.

Sad indeed.
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IStandAccused
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RIP Billy

Post by IStandAccused »

ReadyToHearTheWorst wrote:Let's not forget Billy's Bag (cut as a teenager, fresh from touring in Ray Charles' band, I believe), and That's the way God Planned it (on Apple, no less).

Even tosh like With You I'm Born Again can't detract from their might and joy.

Sad indeed.
Here are some links, blogs, etc...
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198353,00.html
http://www.blog.myspace.com/bebebabyblue
I put this up because of certain associations
And...
in today's Fox 411 there is more updates. http://www.foxnews.com
Problems within the family. NOW that is sad indeed.
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Mike Boom
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Post by Mike Boom »

Very sad news, and I never knew he wrote "You Are So Beautiful".
echos myron like a siren
with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
johnfoyle
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Post by johnfoyle »

Astonishing stuff!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1loV9_xLF8Q

The late, great Billy Preston, at age 10, performs the Fats Domino hit song "Blueberry Hill" with Mr. Nat "King" Cole on Nat's NBC-TV program, circa 1957. Includes a comment by Nat's daughter, Natalie Cole.
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Post by Copenhagen Fan »

He actually kinda looked like Kirby Puckett............
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