The great Billy Preston finally gets his due as the Fifth Beatle in the new video for “Let it Be.”
Billy played on the “Abbey Road” and “Let it Be” albums, but got little credit for it at the time. When Michael Lindsay-Hogg put together the original “Let it Be” film, he cut Billy out entirely.
It was only when Peter Jackson made the “Get Back” miniseries from all of Lindsay-Hogg’s footage that Billy came back into the picture.
Now with the new “Let it Be” — airing on Disney Plus — we see lost footage of Billy integrated back into the title song. It’s a nice vindication. It wasn’t like the group didn’t love Billy — he’s the only artist to share a credit with them, on the single “Get Back” — but no one realized what had happened in the original film cut.
The mix on this “new” version is excellent, too. George’s guitar soars. (John and Ringo look a little bored.) There’s also a clip of George Martin on percussion. “Let it Be” is one of the greatest songs of all time. What a pleasure to see it restored.
“Let it Be” was released 54 years ago on May 13, 1970.
Billy went on to have his own massive hits with songs like “Will it Go Round in Circles” and “Nothing from Nothing.” He co-wrote “You Are So Beautiful” and “With You I’m Born Again.” His life was all about his music which, hopefully, will be reflected in a documentary coming later this year. (We’re keeping an eye on that one.)
PS Billy and Al Green recorded a duet of “You’ve Got a Friend” in the manner of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. One of my favorites.
