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7 unusual facts about Billy Preston


Dancing with Mr. D

Billy Preston, who had contributed on a few songs with the Stones in the past, would become a heavy collaborator over the next few albums and here performs clavinet.

Early Hits of '65

Early Hits of'65 is a compilation album by Billy Preston, released in 1965, who recompiled singles and hits from this year to play with soul arrangements.

I Got the Blues

Recorded during the months of March through May 1970, the song features Jagger on lead vocals, Richards and Mick Taylor on guitars, Bill Wyman on bass, Charlie Watts on drums, and Billy Preston on Hammond organ.

I Just Want to See His Face

The gospel elements to some songs on Exile have been attributed to the presence of Billy Preston during the final recording sessions in Los Angeles.

Lifetime Friend

The song, "Great Gosh A'Mighty", co-written by Richard and Billy Preston, was a modest US hit after it was featured in the soundtrack of Down and Out in Beverly Hills.

Saint of Me

With Jagger on vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards, Waddy Wachtel and Ron Wood play electric guitars (Keith Richards is notably absent), Me'Shell Ndegéocello and Pierre de Beauport on bass and six-string bass, respectively, and Stones-recording veteran Billy Preston on organ.

Worried About You

Billy Preston, a heavy collaborator to Stones albums during the 1970s, performs electric piano.


Doug Pettibone

In 2004 Doug participated in the Legends Rock TV show produced in the South of France, featuring guest artists such as Sam Moore, Billy Preston and Tony Joe White.

Doyle Bramhall II

In addition to collaborating with artists such as T-Bone Burnett, Elton John, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Gary Clark, Jr., Gregg Allman, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Billy Preston, Erykah Badu, Questlove and Meshell Ndegeocello, Bramhall has produced several records, including Sheryl Crow's 100 Miles from Memphis in 2011.

Gabriel Rosati

After academic studies he has performed since 1986 with greats such as Fred Bongusto, Pino Daniele, Vinicio Capossela, Billy Preston, Santana, Malo, Os Originais do Samba, John Lee Hooker, Oreste Vilatos, John Handy, Bob Mintzer, the Checkmates, Rique Pantoja, etc..

John Hedley

As a session musician he has played television as a member of the house band on the The Tube backing international stars as varied as Madonna, Elvis Costello, Billy Preston, Eddy Grant, Grandmaster Flash, Iggy Pop and Eartha Kitt.

Rebecca Pidgeon

In October 2005, she released Tough on Crime, which featured Walter Becker on guitar and the late Billy Preston on keyboards.

Robin Sylvester

He also played in live acts led by Marty Balin, Mary Wells, The Shirelles, The Coasters, The Drifters, Billy Preston, Christine McVie, Steve Seskin, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Freddy Fender, Del Shannon, and Vince Welnick's Missing Man Formation.

The Anthology... So Far

Over the course of the collection Starr is joined by Randy Bachman, Gary Brooker, Jack Bruce, Tim Cappello, Eric Carmen, Felix Cavaliere, Clarence Clemons, Burton Cummings, Rick Danko, Dr. John, Dave Edmunds, John Entwistle, Mark Farner, Peter Frampton, Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Simon Kirke, Nils Lofgren, Billy Preston, Mark Rivera, Todd Rundgren, Timothy B. Schmit, Zak Starkey and Joe Walsh.

The Road to Escondido

A number of high-profile musicians also agreed to work on the album, including Billy Preston, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, Pino Palladino, John Mayer, Steve Jordan and Doyle Bramhall II.

Thierry Plas

In the 1990s, Thierry Plas became a highly appreciated session musician, playing live and recording with Vaya Con Dios, Vladimir Cosma, Pierre Rapsat, Beverly Jo Scott, Billy Preston and other Belgian, French & international artists.

Vanessa Freebairn-Smith

Over the past few years, she has worked in conjunction with artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston and Dhani Harrison, Sting, Jay-Z, Jewel, John Frusciante, and k.d. lang.


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