Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Farewell Billy Preston

God bless Billy Preston. He died today after a long illness. Billy was a phenomenal musician who wrote great songs like "Nothing from Nothing" and "You Are So Beautiful" and played piano and/or organ with a multitude of great artists, including Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, the Jackson 5, John Lennon, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Rolling Stones, Sly & the Family Stone, Ringo Starr, and, most notably, the Beatles; that's Billy playing organ on "Let It Be", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", and "Something", and those great electric piano riffs on "Get Back". He has been long overdue for consideration as a sideman in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A committed Christian, the world is a better place for his beautiful ministry of great music.

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