Keyboardist Billy Preston has died of kidney failure at the age of 59. Preston played extensively with the Beatles and Rolling Stones during his illustrious career. He later won a Grammy and had several solo hits in the 70s.
According to Preston's long-time manager, Joyce Moore, Preston had been in a coma since November due to kidney failure. The singer/songwriter had a kidney transplant in 2002 but his body rejected the organ and the transplant was unsuccessful. He had been on dialysis ever since. He died Tuesday in a Scottsdale, Arizona hospital.
Preston was known for his enthusiastic smile and his large Afro. He was considered a teen prodigy on the piano and organ. In 1969, George Harrison asked Preston to sit in with the Beatles during the 'Let It Be' sessions. His signature keyboards can be heard on 'Get Back' where he matched licks with Harrison's guitar. Preston later played with the Rolling Stones, most notably on 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking?'
In the 70s, Preston had a successful solo career that included hits like 'Will It Go 'Round In Circles,' 'Nothing From Nothing' and 'With You I'm Born Again,' a duet with Syreeta Wright. In 1973, he won a Grammy for 'Outta Space' and he later wrote 'You Are So Beautiful' which became a hit for Joe Cocker.
Preston also played on some of the most critically acclaimed albums of the past 35 years including Aretha Franklin's 'Young, Gifted and Black,' Bob Dylan's 'Blood on the Tracks' and Sly and Family Stone's 'There's a Riot Goin' On.'
He also played at George Harrison's mega-charity benefit 'The Concert for Bangladesh' in 1971. He also appeared on 'Saturday Night Live' and in the movies 'Blues Brothers 2000' and 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band.'
Preston later had numerous personal problems. He pled guilty to cocaine possession in 1992 and spent nine months in a rehab facility. In 1998, he pled guilty to insurance fraud and agreed to testify against his co-defendants.
'(Billy) has left behind a legion of fans and friends who will miss him terribly but who also know that he is free, at peace and back in the arms of the Lord who'd gifted him with his massive and amazing talents, abilities, heart and soul,' Moore said.
Preston’s talent crossed numerous genres including rock, funk, R&B, disco and pop. He will be missed.
