RIP Billy Preston

Wow. That's a big blow to music as I see it. He was still awesome at the George Harrison tribute thing.

 
Damn. That guy brought a smile to my face everytime I saw him play, and ESPECIALLY on Concert For George.

Love him.

 
RIP Billy. He still makes me smile.....

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He's one of those guys who you know instantly when you hear him. A great loss, but he made a helluva contribution in his time.

 
Damn,

I saw him with Eric Clapton a copuple of years ago and he was fantastic. I still remember seeing Billy perform "Will It Go Round in Circles" on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert back in the 70's.

 
It may not be worth renting the video, but one time I was watching "St Louis Blues" on cable several years ago. It was made in 1958, starring Nat King Cole as WC Handy. It's populated by the best of the black musicians of the day -- Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Baily, Eartha Kitt, Mahalia Jackson, Ruby Dee ...

Anyway, the thing that really caught my eye was seeing Billy Preston in the opening credits, so I was watching for him. He appeared in a scene of WC Handy as a boy, absolutely ripping on an old upright piano. Preston was 11 or 12 at the time, and it was unmistakably him with that large head and gap-tooth smile.

I have the Harrison Concert for Bangladesh DVD set with Billy on it, but don't have the Concert for George. I'll have to look for that one.

I still consider his electric piano solo on "Get Back" as one of the coolest ever in pop music.

 
Hey guys,

My buddy Gary Jackson, ex-bassist for Con Funk Shun(R.I.P.), used to tour with Billy Preston. Billy Preston's contribution to music, especially the Beatles, is immense. What a shame he died at a young age.

Guitar George

 
Playing Concert For George on the store flat screen. Isn't It A Pity indeed. /emoticons/default_biggrin.png

 
I just popped my BP greatest hits cd on, and am jammin' to "Outta Space." What a monster groove player, and definitely part of the soundtrack of my youth. His songs were all over the radio when I was in Jr. High & High School. Definitely a sad day, but these tunes have brought a huge grin to my face.

 
Guess "That's the way god planned It".Seriously,I can remember being a tot(back in the early 70's) and taking the concert for Bangla desh to Sunday school for my sunday school teacher to hear.That was my religious contribution i guess.Remeber playin Billy's tune "thats the way god planned it" and George's "my sweet lord".Fit right in to the whole sunday school vibe!!!!....I will say when Leon Russell dies I'm takin the week off from work.I'm a huge Leon fan.see him every time he comes around........R.I.P Billy

 
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