Billy Preston died today.
06-06-06, 01:31 PM
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Billy Preston died today.
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/06/06/D8I2RTD00.html
Singer-Songwriter Billy Preston Dead at 59
Jun 06 1:42 PM US/Eastern
PHOENIX
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.
I always Loved Billy.
-Paul
Singer-Songwriter Billy Preston Dead at 59
Jun 06 1:42 PM US/Eastern
PHOENIX
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.
I always Loved Billy.
-Paul
Last edited by The Edit King; 06-06-06 at 01:37 PM.
06-06-06, 03:39 PM
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My father knew Billy Preston and I met him a few times when I was a kid. Just last week we were talking about the old Amos and Andy Show and he told me that Billy's mother was the woman who The Kingfish's wife Saphirre. I'm a big old time radio fan and I never knew that little bit of trivia and although I haven't verified it, my dad met the woman so I'll assume he knows what he's talking about.
06-06-06, 04:37 PM
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Too bad. 
RIP
RIP
06-06-06, 04:50 PM
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Just read this on AOL and it sucks. 
All on my iPod. I'll give 'em a spin on my radio show tomorrow.
Originally Posted by The Edit King
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.
06-06-06, 05:34 PM
#8
Pitchfork used his obit to take a stab at the Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Later in his life, Preston suffered several major indignities: being sentenced to a three-year jail term following a bail violation, performing on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium, and, worst of all, performing as the title character in the abysmal film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Later in his life, Preston suffered several major indignities: being sentenced to a three-year jail term following a bail violation, performing on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium, and, worst of all, performing as the title character in the abysmal film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
06-06-06, 05:41 PM
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I have a cool pic of Billy Preston, John Entwistle and myself having lunch (the lady that I was with snapped our pic) at the Townsend Hotel in the Detroit area (Troy or Birmingham, I believe). It was taken on their tour with Ringo Starr.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
06-06-06, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by zombiezilla
I have a cool pic of Billy Preston, John Entwistle and myself having lunch (the lady that I was with snapped our pic) at the Townsend Hotel in the Detroit area (Troy or Birmingham, I believe). It was taken on their tour with Ringo Starr.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
Yeah, it sucks when people die young....
06-07-06, 09:09 AM
#12
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Just a few weeks ago I was looking at the credits for Stadium Arcadium and thinking, "No way, that can't be him." He's had quite the career. He will definitely live on forever through his music.
Sad to see Pitchfork can't even stop being pretentious in an obituary.
Originally Posted by cungar
Pitchfork used his obit to take a stab at the Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Later in his life, Preston suffered several major indignities: being sentenced to a three-year jail term following a bail violation, performing on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium, and, worst of all, performing as the title character in the abysmal film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Later in his life, Preston suffered several major indignities: being sentenced to a three-year jail term following a bail violation, performing on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Stadium Arcadium, and, worst of all, performing as the title character in the abysmal film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
06-07-06, 11:17 PM
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by zombiezilla
I have a cool pic of Billy Preston, John Entwistle and myself having lunch (the lady that I was with snapped our pic) at the Townsend Hotel in the Detroit area (Troy or Birmingham, I believe). It was taken on their tour with Ringo Starr.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
Now I'll miss 'em both...damn.
RIP Billy .... 'That's the Way God Planned It'.
Video
Last edited by nazz; 06-08-06 at 01:40 AM.
