Who Is Billy Preston? Age, Biography and Wiki
Billy Preston was born on September 2, 1946, in Houston, Texas. Renowned for his remarkable talent on the keyboards and his soulful voice, he gained prominence in the 1960s and 1970s. Billy, often referred to as the "Fifth Beatle," earned this nickname for his collaborations with The Beatles, providing unforgettable contributions to their music. His career spanned several decades, during which he created timeless hits and collaborated with various iconic artists.
Sadly, Billy Preston passed away on June 6, 2006, but his influence on music continues to resonate. As of 2025, he would have been 79 years old, a testament to the enduring legacy he left behind.
| Occupation | Blues Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 2, 1946 |
| Age | 59 Years |
| Birth Place | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 6 June, 2006 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Billy Preston's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Billy Preston stood at approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm). While specific weight details may vary, he was known to maintain a healthy physique throughout most of his life. Measurements related to his body stats are not widely available due to his passing over a decade ago. However, his stage presence was often noted for its energetic and charismatic expressions.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Billy Preston was known to keep much of his personal life private. Throughout his life, he never publicly declared a long-term romantic partner or spouse. While there were rumors of past relationships, specific details about his dating history, boyfriend, or girlfriend remain relatively obscure. The focus of his life was primarily on his music career and the relationships he formed with fellow artists.
Preston was brought up in the African-American gospel tradition; he was a committed Christian throughout his life and openly expressed his faith in works such as his 1970s hit "That's the Way God Planned It".
His personal beliefs were sometimes at odds with the attitudes and musical expressions of the secular world of rock & roll in which he often worked, but he was apparently willing to put his religious views aside when working on tracks like John Lennon's openly atheistic song "God".
Preston was deeply attached to his mother, for whom he wrote the song that became his best-known composition, "You Are So Beautiful".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Billy Preston's estimated net worth was around $2 million, a reflection of his successful career in the music industry. His earnings came from various sources, including album sales, live performances, and royalties from his extensive catalog of work. Even after his death, his music continues to generate revenue, ensuring that his legacy thrives in the industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Billy Preston's career began at a young age, showcasing his exceptional talent in gospel music. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he released numerous hit albums, including classics like "Outa-Space" and "Will It Go Round in Circles." Collaborating with high-profile artists, such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, and George Harrison, he cemented his place in rock and R&B history.
In addition to his music, Preston ventured into producing and song writing, further diversifying his career. Although he is no longer alive, the impact of his contributions continues to influence many musicians today.
Following the release of I Wrote a Simple Song on A&M, Preston's solo career peaked at this time, beginning with 1972's "Outa-Space", an instrumental track that further popularized the sound of the clavinet in funk music.
The song reached number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard's R&B chart, before going on to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. "Outa-Space" sold over 1 million copies in America, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA in June 1972.
Later that year, Preston contributed the title song to the hit blaxploitation film Slaughter starring Jim Brown.
Social Network
Despite the era in which he was most active before the rise of social media, Billy Preston's legacy has been honored by fans on various platforms. His music is available across multiple streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, where fans celebrate his work and share tributes. His legacy continues to be celebrated by music lovers worldwide, ensuring that a new generation discovers his timeless artistry.
From 1970, Preston played keyboards (including piano, organ, clavinet, and various synthesizers) for the Rolling Stones, sometimes alongside pianists Nicky Hopkins and Ian Stewart, on their albums Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main St., Goats Head Soup, It's Only Rock 'n Roll and Black and Blue.
As the band's primary touring keyboardist from 1973 to 1977, he performed as a support act with his own band (including Mick Taylor on guitar) on their 1973 European tour. A Munich performance from this tour was documented on Preston's album Live European Tour 1973.
In 1974, along with Bruce Fisher, one of his regular songwriting collaborators in the 1970s, he composed one of Joe Cocker's biggest hits, "You Are So Beautiful". On October 11, 1975, he was the first musical guest on Saturday Night Live's series premiere episode.
Preston's 1973 song "Do You Love Me" was the basis for the Rolling Stones' track "Melody", released on Black and Blue in 1976. Although two of his songs were included in the band's 1975 and 1976 (plus the El Mocambo) live sets, the Stones and Preston parted company in 1977, mainly due to a disagreement over money.
He continued to play on solo records by Stones members like Mick Jagger's Wandering Spirit, and made appearances on the band's Tattoo You and Bridges to Babylon.
Education
Information about Billy Preston's formal education is limited, focusing more on his early musical training. He showcased prodigious talent from a young age, learning to play the piano and other instruments through gospel music and local performances. Much of his skill was honed on the stage, where he gained invaluable experience that would shape his career.
In conclusion, Billy Preston remains an iconic figure in American music, and while he may no longer be with us, his contributions are immortalized through his vibrant discography. His legacy continues to inspire new artists and entertain fans across the globe. In 2025, we honor his memory and the indelible mark he left on the music industry.
While on probation for a drunk driving conviction in August 1991, Preston was arrested for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old Mexican boy, after picking him up at a gathering point for day laborers.
The boy told authorities that Preston took him to his Malibu home, smoked cocaine, showed him pornographic pictures and tried to assault him before he escaped. Preston was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon involving a man he picked up to do work at his home, the day before his arrest in the case involving the boy.
After submitting to a drug test, Preston tested positive for cocaine. He entered no-contest pleas to the cocaine and assault charges. The sex charges which included misdemeanor charges of child molestation and exhibiting pornographic material to a minor were dismissed.
He was sentenced to nine months at a drug rehabilitation center and three months of house arrest.
