Nothing From Nothing - RIP Billy Preston

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:52 pm

From CNN.com

Singer Billy Preston dead at 59
Manager: Preston had chronic kidney failure

Tuesday, June 6, 2006; Posted: 1:45 p.m. EDT (17:45 GMT)

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- Billy Preston, the exuberant keyboardist who landed dream gigs with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones and enjoyed his own series of hit singles, including "Outta Space" and "Nothing From Nothing," died Tuesday at 59.

Preston's longtime manager, Joyce Moore, said Preston had been in a coma since November in a care facility and was taken to a hospital in Scottsdale Saturday after his condition deteriorated.

"He had a very, very beautiful last few hours and a really beautiful passing," Moore said by telephone from Germany. "He went home good."

Preston, who had battled chronic kidney failure, had undergone a kidney transplant in 2002, but the kidney failed and he has been on dialysis treatments ever since, Moore said earlier this year.

Known for his big smile and towering afro, Preston was a teen prodigy on the piano and organ, and lent his gospel-tinged touch to classics such as the Beatles' "Get Back" and the Stones' "Can't You Hear Me Knocking?"

He broke out as a solo artist in the 1970s, winning a best instrumental Grammy in 1973 for "Outta Space," and scoring other hits with "Will It Go 'Round In Circles," "Nothing From Nothing" and "With You I'm Born Again," a duet with Syreeta Wright.

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 4:01 pm

A Great master of the keys.......

greatest memory was the rooftop concert
on top of Apple studios.....

Oliver's Army · Post by **Oliver's Army** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:29 am

This is sad.

No props for such an influential, legendary musician?

So sad.

Some of you need to turn in your music snob cards.

Yet the "Pro Wrestling" thread thrives.

I'm ashamed.

sharkmansix · Post by **sharkmansix** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:42 am

RIP Sgt. Pepper (he played him in the flop film 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band')

Give a listen to "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" off of 'Abbey Road' and you'll feel his majesty.

The_Dude · Post by **The_Dude** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:04 am

I'm not personally familiar with Billy Preston, but Trey Anastasio does a great cover of Will It Go 'Round in Circles.

Great, great, song.

=^-..-^= · Post by **=^-..-^=** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:23 am

Yeah, " I want you (She's So Heavy) great keyboard licks in that song.

A friend of mine who was a promoter brought him to FW back in the late 80's to some bar on Rudisill called the Firehouse. The turnout was light.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 12:46 pm

Sad day indeed. Beautiful man from all I've read and heard. Wonderful musician as well.

WBOB · Post by **WBOB** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 2:02 pm

To futher elaborate.....

Many notable feats in music.

Played with Little Richard, Clapton, Stones,
Sly & The Family Stone...(to name a few)

Was brought in to the Beatles sessions by
George Harrison in part to help quell the bickering
and infighting that was swelling up during
their last year & half.

Personally have applied some of his style of
playing keys.

Yeah! that Sgt Pepper movie was a dog.

He, for awhile had one of those major
rounded 70's fros goin on...... about 18" in diameter
if I remember

thanks for bringin it to the boards attention Ollie...

Would think about maybe 80% of the members
wont recognize his name though.. (maybe)

LC Pwince · Post by **LC Pwince** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:21 am

Didn't he also play in FW several years back with some all-star band? I believe it was at River City when it first opened, and he was playing with Steve Cropper and some other cats. I was there. Decent turnout, but wierd show. I could be on crack, though.

LC

david sumner · Post by **david sumner** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 10:34 pm

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images ... 831326.gif