Billy Preston has been at times referred to as the "Fifth Beatle"; quite an honour, to be sure. The relationship started when George Harrison stormed out of a 1969 recording session for Let It Be, and went to watch a live performance by Ray Charles. Preston was on stage playing organ, and Harrison decided to bring him back to the studio to help ease the tension. By the time the Beatles broke up, Billy Preston ended up working on various songs including I Want You (She's So Heavy), Here comes the Sun, and Get Back. For the latter, he received the only non-Beatle credit for an official release: "The Beatles feat. Billy Preston".

Preston signed with The Beatles' famous Apple Records, and produced a string of successful singles throughout the early 1970s: Outa Space (1972), Will It Go Round In Circles (1973) and Nothing From Nothing (1974). He continued to work closely with other musicians, however, including solo ex-Beatles Ringo Starr, John Lennon and George Harrison. No less than five Rolling Stones albums list Billy Preston as a contributing musician.

When you think about the personality and ego conflicts in the music business, it becomes obvious that Billy Preston was one of a kind. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2006 from kidney failure and related complications. The music business has lost a real team player.

Connections: Billy Preston worked closely with The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.