Solo artist

Died: 2006-06-06
Age: 59
Cause: Liver and Kidney Disease

Singer-songwriter and performer Billy Preston (the real 'Fifth Beatle') died June 6, 2006 after a long illness as a result of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications. As a result of a medical insult he'd been in a deep coma since last November 21st, but was still struggling to recover. He died at Shea Scottsdale Hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona where he'd lived for the last couple of years.

Billy was called the Fifth Beatle because he played keyboards on Let it Be, The White Album and Abbey Road. He also played on the Rolling Stones's hit song Miss You, and often played with Eric Clapton. He also played organ on Sly & the Family Stone's greatest hits.

Preston's own hits included 'Nothing from Nothing', 'Will it Go Round in Circles', and 'You Are So Beautiful', which Joe Cocker turned into an international hit.

Billy Preston also did one of my own personal favourite ballads 'With you I'm born again' as a duet with Syreeta.

Photo: Unknown