Billy Preston

”’William Everett Preston”’ (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006)<ref name=”nyt”/> was an American musician, whose work encompassed [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]], and [[gospel music|gospel]]. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as [[Little Richard]], [[Sam Cooke]], [[Ray Charles]], [[Everly Brothers]], Reverend [[James Cleveland]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uqT-CJYcqskC&pg=PA84|title=Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music|first=W. K.|last=McNeil|date=April 13, 2005|publisher=Psychology Press|via=Google Books|page=84|isbn=9780415941792}}</ref> [[The Rolling Stones]], and [[the Beatles]]. He went on to achieve fame as a solo artist with hit singles such as “[[That’s the Way God Planned It (song)|That’s the Way God Planned It]]”, the Grammy-winning “[[Outa-Space]]”, “[[Will It Go Round in Circles]]”, “[[Space Race (Billy Preston song)|Space Race]]”, “[[Nothing from Nothing (Billy Preston song)|Nothing from Nothing]]”, and “[[With You I’m Born Again]]”. Additionally, Preston co-wrote “[[You Are So Beautiful]]”, which became a #5 hit for [[Joe Cocker]].

”’William Everett Preston”’ (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006)<ref name=”nyt”/> was an American musician, whose work encompassed [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]], [[Rock music|rock]], [[Soul music|soul]], [[funk]], and [[gospel music|gospel]]. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as [[Little Richard]], [[Sam Cooke]], [[Ray Charles]], [[Everly Brothers]], Reverend [[James Cleveland]],<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uqT-CJYcqskC&pg=PA84|title=Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music|first=W. K.|last=McNeil|date=April 13, 2005|publisher=Psychology Press|via=Google Books|page=84|isbn=9780415941792}}</ref> [[The Rolling Stones]], and [[the Beatles]]. He went on to achieve fame as a solo artist with hit singles such as “[[That’s the Way God Planned It (song)|That’s the Way God Planned It]]”, the Grammy-winning “[[Outa-Space]]”, “[[Will It Go Round in Circles]]”, “[[Space Race (Billy Preston song)|Space Race]]”, “[[Nothing from Nothing (Billy Preston song)|Nothing from Nothing]]”, and “[[With You I’m Born Again]]”. Additionally, Preston co-wrote “[[You Are So Beautiful]]”, which became a #5 hit for [[Joe Cocker]].

Preston was the only musician given credit on a Beatles label.<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jun/07/arts.artsnews</ref> He continued to record and perform with other artists, notably [[George Harrison]] after the Beatles’ breakup, and [[Eric Clapton]], and he played keyboards for [[the Rolling Stones]] on many of the group’s albums and tours during the 1970s. On May 12, 2021, the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] announced that Preston would be inducted with the Musical Excellence Award.

Preston was the only musician given credit on a Beatles label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jun/07/arts.artsnews|title=Billy Preston, keyboard player with the Beatles, dies at 59|date=June 7, 2006|website=the Guardian}}</ref> He continued to record and perform with other artists, notably [[George Harrison]] after the Beatles’ breakup, and [[Eric Clapton]], and he played keyboards for [[the Rolling Stones]] on many of the group’s albums and tours during the 1970s. On May 12, 2021, the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] announced that Preston would be inducted with the Musical Excellence Award.

==Life and career==

==Life and career==