American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter whose work encompassed rhythm & blues, soul, funk, and gospel. Born September 2, 1946, Houston, Texas, but raised mostly in Los Angeles, California. Died June 6, 2006, Scottsdale, Arizona.
In addition to his successful, Grammy Award-winning career as a solo artist, he collaborated with some of the greatest names in the music industry, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Band, Nat King Cole, Little Richard, Eric Burdon, Ray Charles, George Harrison, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, King Curtis, Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin, The Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Mick Jagger, Richie Sambora, Sly Stone, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ringo Starr. He played the Fender Rhodes electric piano and the Hammond organ on the "54516" sessions in 1969.
Preston and Tony Sheridan are the only two non-Beatles to receive billing as an artist alongside the Beatles (as distinct from receiving credit as a session musician on album packaging) on an official Beatles record release. The label of the Get Back single credits the artists on the record as The Beatles with Billy Preston.
He was inducted into the Class of 2021 of the Rock and Roll Hall Fame with the Musical Excellence Award.
He was son of Robbie Preston Williams and half-brother of Rodena Preston. Another one member of his family was artist.
