Thursday, October 3, 2024

Exclusive Video Tribute: “Fifth Beatle” Billy Preston Would Have Turned 70 Today

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The only artist to be featured on a Beatles record by name– Billy Preston, on “Get Back.” He died in 2006. Today would have been his 70th birthday. Watch the exclusive video tribute of Billy singing the song he co-wrote “You Are So Beautiful” with “Soul Man” Sam Moore. It was his last recording, with Eric Clapton on guitar.

Billy played on records by The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Sly and the Family Stone, and so many more. He also had major hits still heard round the clock today, like “Nothing from Nothing” and “Will it Go Round in Circles.” He was one of the few artists signed to the Beatles’ Apple Records, where he had another hit with “That’s the Way God Planned It.” Keith Richards wrote in his memoir that Billy came up with the riff for “Miss You.” Makes sense.

He started out at 16, playing with Little Richard and Ray Charles. Aretha Franklin was one of his best friends. It was quite a career. Happy Birthday Billy! You will not be forgotten!

Nothing from Nothing

Get Back

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.

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