Recognizing The African American Influence On Classic Rock – Black History Month – Billy Preston

A title well earned by the late great Billy Preston is, 'The Fifth Beatle'.The single version of "Get Back", is listed on the label as "The Beatles with Billy Preston" which makes him the only artist to ever get that marquee billing on a Beatles release.

Billy Preston started to play piano at the early age of three which clearly makes him a prodigy at that craft. Billy started recording gospel for albums at the age of 16.

Aside from the notoriety of playing with The Beatles he has also worked with Eric Clapton, Elton John, Eric Burdon, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones.

His catalog is pretty extensive which is that of nearly 30 studio album recorded from the years 1962- 2001.

We lost a great one in Billy Preston back in 2006 due to kidney failure.

Buddy Guy