Billy Preston dies at 59
{{Obituaries}}
{{date|June 7, 2006}}

Musician {{w|Billy Preston}}, a so-called "''{{w|fifth Beatle}}''", died in {{w|Arizona}} at the age of 59 after a long illness.  

A native of {{w|Houston, Texas|Houston}}, {{w|Texas}}, Preston played while in his teens with {{w|Mahalia Jackson}}, {{w|Little Richard}} and {{w|Ray Charles}}.

He later backed up the {{w|Beatles}}, playing keyboards on ''{{w|Let It Be (album)|Let It Be}}'', ''{{w|The White Album}}'' and ''{{w|Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road}}''. He also played on the hit Beatles single "''{{w|Get Back}}''."

As a soloist, Preston topped the record charts in the early 1970s with "Outta Space," "Will It Go Round in Circles," and "Nothing from Nothing."

He joined the Rolling Stones on tour and backed them up on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Heartbreaker."

He also wrote the {{w|Joe Cocker}} hit "{{w|You Are So Beautiful}}," and collaborated with {{w|Aretha Franklin}}, {{w|Bob Dylan}}, {{w|Quincy Jones}}, and {{w|Barbra Streisand}}.

He won two {{w|Grammy Awards|Grammys}}, including one for his involvement in the Concert for {{w|Bangladesh}}, staged by ex-Beatle {{w|George Harrison}} in 1971. Last year, in one of his final appearances, Preston performed in {{w|Los Angeles}} with former Beatle {{w|Ringo Starr}} and Harrison's son, {{w|Dhani Harrison|Dhani}}.

Plagued by drug and alcohol abuse, Preston had scrapes with the law on narcotics and other charges. He suffered from chronic kidney failure, and had been in a coma since November.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-06-07-voa2.cfm
 |title='Fifth Beatle' Billy Preston Dies at 59
 |author=Mike O'Sullivan
 |pub=VOA
 |date=June 7, 2006}}

{{publish}}
{{archive-unreviewed}}

[[Category:Obituaries]]
[[Category:Music]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:Aretha Franklin]]
Musician fifth Beatle", died in  at the age of 59 after a long illness.  

A native of Houston, Mahalia Jackson, Ray Charles.

He later backed up the Let It Be (album)|Let It Be, Abbey Road (album)|Abbey Road. He also played on the hit Beatles single "."

As a soloist, Preston topped the record charts in the early 1970s with "Outta Space," "Will It Go Round in Circles," and "Nothing from Nothing."

He joined the Rolling Stones on tour and backed them up on "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" and "Heartbreaker."

He also wrote the You Are So Beautiful," and collaborated with Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand.

He won two Grammys, including one for his involvement in the Concert for George Harrison in 1971. Last year, in one of his final appearances, Preston performed in Ringo Starr and Harrison's son, Dhani.

Plagued by drug and alcohol abuse, Preston had scrapes with the law on narcotics and other charges. He suffered from chronic kidney failure, and had been in a coma since November.
Obituaries Music Culture and entertainment Aretha Franklin