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Billy Preston

BILLY PRESTON
 
 
Billy Preston  (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American musician whose work included R&B, rock, soul, funk and gospel.  A virtuoso keyboardist, particularly on Hammond organ, Preston was recognized as a top session musician in the 1960’s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and the Beatles.  He then went on to achieve fame as a solo artist, with hit pop singles including “Will It Go Round in Circles” and “Nothing from Nothing”.  In addition, Preston co-wrote “You Are So Beautiful”, which became a number 5 hit for Joe Cocker.  (More from Wikipedia)
 
 
After Phil and the Frantics broke up and his later recording and touring work with Steve Dodge and others, Phil Kelsey operated more behind the scenes, becoming a session musician and songwriter.  He worked with Earth, Wind and Fire, Billy Preston and Brenton Wood, among others. 
 
(August 2012)
 
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Andraé Crouch was first a member of the Church of God in Christ Singers (COGICS), which he founded in 1960; one of their members was Billy Preston.  

 

(July 2014)

 
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From Wikipedia:  “Among the large cast of backing musicians [on All Things Must Pass] were Eric Clapton and Delaney & Bonnie’s Friends band – three of whom formed Derek and the Dominos with Clapton during the recording – as well as Ringo Starr, Gary Wright, [Billy] Preston, Klaus Voormann, John Barham, Badfinger, and Pete Drake.”   
 
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The George Harrison song “All Things Must Pass” was originally recorded by Billy Preston – under the name “All Things (Must) Pass” – on his 1970 Apple Records release Encouraging Words.  The lyrics were inspired by a 1968 poem by a different sort of guru, Timothy Leary called “All Things Pass”, a psychedelic adaptation of a classical Chinese text called the Tao Te Ching.  
 
(September 2014)