Damn.... Billy Preston died...

Billy Preston, amongst other things known for being the ONLY artist ever co-credited with the Beatles, died last night in Scottsdale Arizona.

Apparently he had been comatose since November, reslulting form kidney failure. He was 59.

He'd been touring with Clapton for the last few years, is featured prominently on Claptons "One More Car, One More Rider DVD, and on "The Concert for George" DVD as well.

Damn... he was one of the good ones..

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I have always been here.
I have always looked out from behind these eyes.

A great man and a great musician, as evidenced by the Beatles requesting his presence on the album Let It Be, when either John or Paul could have easily done the job. The mention was also a great compliment, if you remember Clapton played on the White Album and recieved no mention.

First Vince Welnick and now Billy Preston, we are running out of great keyboardists.

"May the Four Winds blow you safely home"

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Alone in the
clouds all blue
Lying on an eiderdown, yippee
You can't see me but I can you

That's a hard way to go, man, and I'm sorry to hear it.

Guess I'll go dig through some vinyl, tonight...

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"I suppose I'll open a bottle of something if they find it." - Peter Higgs

At least George Harrison will be able to Jam with him again.

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come on you painter,you piper,you prisoner,and shine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sad news indeed. He was a great songwriter and performer. R.I.P. Billy!

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"David Gilmour can do more with one note than most guitarists can do with the whole fretboard."

Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)

Another music legend bites the dust.

R.I.P. Billy Preston.

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Count me in on the journey, don't expect me to stay.

I was really sad to hear it. Even though he's been ill for a long time, he continued to make music until the end (the most recent Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond and Red Hot Chili Peppers albums all feature his beautiful keyboard work).

Shamefully enough, there's been lots of petty squabbling over his estate ever since he lapsed into a coma... but I know that it is his enduring enthusiasm for life and music that will be sorely missed by everyone. God bless you, Billy.

Two other recent Beatle-related deaths: Desmond Dekker (name-dropped in "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da") and Jack Fallon (fiddler on "Don't Pass Me By").

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I do not have to seek you out, I read you day and night
And drink and bathe and share my coat
And droplets spray in rainbows from that distant age
And we will never taste the final drop
Nor turn the final page