From my perspective, Billy certainly did become part of the Beatles as a band for both the Get Back/Let It Be project and Abbey Road. He also was a member of the live lineup of the Rolling Stones as well. Can you imagine Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Billy Preston all on one stage? Talk about charisma overload! Billy was one amazing performer, RIP.
Tears here. They were our lads, and so sad to think how it was really for a very short time. Never again will will see such an avalanche of talent. Very happy that we still have the music to enjoy.
Billy had his own career, plus he contributed enormous talent to many other groups and musicians. He liked playing here and there, all over the world, with different people like Clapton, et al. And now he's playing with so many of the best again. Kick it up Mr. Preston!
He totally changed the atmosphere when he just turned up to visit the studio he wasn't asked but the mood changed for the better and the boys started to have fun..
@@kevsta67I'm not the one that called him that. Others did. As a matter of fact, George Martin was sometimes referred to as the 5th Beatle, which makes sense due to his involvement with and influence on them. Another was, believe it or not, Harry Nilsson. Not because he co-wrote any Beatles songs, or recorded with them, but because he was a strong influence on them, especially John. When asked what was his favorite group, John said, "Harry Nilsson." Nilsson usually played all the instruments (except strings) on the songs he wrote. Of course, when he did an album of standards, he used an orchestra. Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, if I'm no mistaken. He had a beautiful voice. Listen to his vocal range on Without You. He and John were notoriously kicked out of a couple places in L.A. because they were drunk and disorderly. George Harrison played guitar on some of Nilsson's recordings. For what it's worth...
I always liked how John asked Billy to play with them. Of course, Billy said yes. His keyboard input on " Don't Let Me Down " instantly showed the group his contribution was amazing. He continued to be a powerful part of many songs. Organ in " Let it Be, " piano in Lennon's " God " and more.
Billy Preston and the Beatles met for the first time in Hamburg (Germany) in 1962. At that time the Beatles were still quite unknown but Billy Preston was already playing in Little Richard's band . He was just 16 and was lucky not to be sent home by the police right away. Because they played in the middle of the red light district.The Hamburg time was probably the wildest and craziest time of the Beatles
And, of course it was Little Richard who taught Paul how to really belt it out. LR told Paul he just had to let it "explode out of the top of your head." Great stuff!!!
@@briandonovan1584 Yes! Paul does the Little Richard high pitched 'woooh!' in a bunch of Beatles' songs, it's sounds great and just like Little Richard.
@@jenniferfoster1692 Damn right. Paul, the man of a thousand voices always sounds great. One of my favorites is Paul howling during all the na na na nas of Hey Jude. Paul is one of if not the most talented entertainers of at least the last century ... And most prolific. I love that guy and have for 60 years ... Amazing. You have an awesome evening, Jennifer! Brian
Billy Preston was invaluable on the songs he played on. So glad the B's and Mr. Preston were friends, and were able to work together. Can't imagine "Get Back" without the keys.
Much as when George brought Eric Clapton into the studio for 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and everyone in the band was on best behaviour, his bringing in Billy Preston,who they'd met as a 14 year old(iirc) touring with Little Richard, for what became 'Let It Be' lent much needed cohesion, light-heartedness and an added layer of easy-going musicality to the proceedings. Can't imagine this album without him. 😊🤙🏼🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊
How blessed I was to have lived at the time The Beatles first came out and they have been so meaningful in my life ever since. I've heard some great bands, but nothing compares to the Beatles.
I love the grin that lights up this guys face from almost the first note. There was a comment made about "hey jude" that you can't appreciate the song until you see an audience with the "blissed out" look of joy as they sing along on the chorus on that song. The same thing happens here from almost the opening bar. Awesome!
Yes, Philip, I totally think it's a worthwhile question to ponder how Billy Preston would have affected Beatles music with his brilliant keyboard work. I think they would have been awesome live with Billy in their lineup.
Their live performance on the roof , their last ever , just shows up their awesome charisma and talent. A perfect moment in time never to be repeated. I think they passed the audition.
Already this program shows signs of a classic. Such a great piece of music history when Billy Preston came, for two albums, to the Beatles recording sessions.
Watch the Let It Be film and/or the Peter Jackson Get Back doc and you get the powerful impression that, at the point of everything falling apart, Billy walks into the studio and the rest of the band quickly get their sh*t together out of pure respect
Billy Preston was an incredible musician but more importanly an incredible soul. I saw him live in concert in Australia in the early 1980s. Wonderful and very generous performer. He certainly did add an extra dimension to The Beatles sound late in the piece. And Billy's performance on the "Concert for George", especially on "Isn't a Pity" is one of the greatest live performances of the 21st Century. Cheers from the Land Down Under.
You're very good at teasing out the details of the music, calling out how Billy's funk and soul on his piano lead married perfectly with (in this case) Paul's (and the Beatles) straight ahead rock! That's a really good observation!
The guys loved Billy Preston so much. His musical skills, of course, but also his personality, just a good, positive guy. They liked the good energy he brought to the room, he made them happy while they were going through things between themselves. It was considered to bring him into the band but ultimately they kept it to the 4 original guys. Billy's solo stuff like 'Will it Go Around in Circles' & 'Nothing from Nothing', for example are incredible. He had such energy and could sing and play his ass off, lol. You should definitely check those out.
Love the footage from The Beatles famous, or infamous, rooftop concert, their final public performance. Billy Preston added a lot to the song, and he helped get them to do the "show" on the Apple Records rooftop. My recommendation, get the Blu-Ray called "Get Back" to have and to hold forever. Some of the best money I ever spent.
The Beatles got a new height while Billy was with them. We are lucky enough to listen what they sound like with a player like Billy Preston. I personally don't get tired to listen to this. Thank you very much my friend.
From what I've heard on that day they were getting ready to break up right then and there, but Billy Preston lightened up the mood and talked them into having an impromptu concert on the rooftop. The fab four also called Billy Preston the 5th Beatle. There's also an interview 50 years later with the cop that was dispatched to break up the impromptu concert, poor bastard! Should be able to find it.
Yes, you've got a big smile on your face! You know this is a great achievement of a program! I am so geeked to see this program, there is simply no way to express with words!!!!!!!!
You should do George's "Old Brown Shoe", featuring a track which shows Billy Preston ON BASS performing on a track with Paul McCartney, who is on electric guitar in that take! How amazing the talent of all of these guys! Hope you show that track as you next Beatles track in your series on Billy Preston with the Beatles!
This program is just a house on fire Philip! Love that this is now part of your Beatles catalogue! This and "Old Brown Shoe" are a one-two Beatles punch filled with fascination, entertainment, and sheer joy!!!
The very first R&R concert I saw was when I was traveling in Europe in 1974/1975 at 17/18 years old. I was in London in the summer of 1974 and saw Billy Preston at the Rainbow Theatre. Amazing! 🤩😍🥰
So, if you watch the Disney series "Get Back", you would see there was a part where George Harrison, after a contentious interaction with Paul McCartney walked out of the group. Normally George would do the guitar leads for the Beatles, but with George (temporarily) gone, John had to play the guitar solo on this song. He does a pretty good job of it. First Billy Preston does his piano solo, and then the next go round John does his lead guitar part. Put it all together with Paul's strumming bass and Ringo's drumming and you have yet another Beatles classic, the only song since Tony Sheridan (1961) where the Beatles gave a co-credit to another artist on their track. This shows you how much musical respect the Beatles had for Billy. John wanted him in the group. Paul pushed back on that one. Would have loved to see Billy in the lineup for a few more albums; could have been awesome!
In the Get Back documentary, when Billy Preston showed up he brought the mood of the room up so much that they did have a discussion about adding him to the group, but then George got really excited and started suggesting a bunch of other people they could also add. They dropped the discussion after that. He was only there for 3 days though, and they ended up breaking up a few months later after recording Abbey Road. Maybe if they had added him to the group.....
Wow, it's only been a few hours, and 261 views! This program is drawing attention quickly. Myself, I'm fascinated by the sub-plot where Billy Preston is becoming a functional band member of the Beatles for two albums, Let it Be and Abbey Road. Billy doesn't look out of place at all being a Beatle!
I find the little sequence after John and Paul both "slag-off" the recording technician for interrupting the recording where George says, "well, should we have another cup of tea and another ciggie?" to which John quickly retorts, "have a ciggie after this [the take]", and the red recording light comes on and George is startled, saying "oh!" but immediately gets up and starts playing with the band. Also, of note, is the way John is playing his guitar. He's simply slapping his opened hand across the strings playing rhythm chords. . .I've not seen a rhythm guitarist do that before-interesting technique!
Billy Preston opened for BB King in the early 70's in Honolulu. I was sitting third row center and was blown away. He had the whole arena rocking with him standing there alone on the stage with his keyboard. Class act!
The importance of Billy Preston on this album can not be overstated. it simply doesnt happen w/o him. he was exactly what they needed when they needed it.
4 місяці тому+2
The leader guitar was in charge of John, the rythm guitar was George's
I really enjoyed how you described the performance and how it made you feel. And, of course, I agree 100% with you regarding Billy Preston and what he brought to those Beatle sessions. I've been a Beatles fan from they're first US released LP.
So good to see the fifth Beatles as John called him, adding so much to the Let It Be project. Billy's work on keyboard during I Want You,Shes So Heavy Abby Road it spectacular. To see these 5 men jamming together would have been like seeing a religious entity.
So, when you are looking at them on the roof, you can only see Billy's keyboard directly behind George. George blocks our view of Billy playing the keyboards.
Billy Preston is my favorite Fifth Beatle. In the Get Back documentary, the subject does come up, possibly adding Billy to The Beatles lineup. They may have done so if they themselves were not on the rocks as a band.
A great Great Billy Preston song from the seventies is an instrumental funky tune called ' Outta Space'. Give it a listen. You will be tappin' your toes.
George said they all behaved with Billy there. John proposed adding Billy as an actual fifth Beatle. How cool and unexpected would that have been? Preston was American, black, and gay (though in the closet for decades). He would've made them a very different band.
I love in the beginning of this song you see John just "banging" the strings instead of strumming them. Amazing, because the sound that comes out of his guitar when he does this is perfect! Because they recorded the earlier tracks when George temporarily quit the Beatles a couple of days earlier, John plays lead guitar on this track. But what takes the song to the next level is once John's lead is out of the way, the next section of the song with the lead is none other than Billy Preston coming in on the keyboards. I'm sure John certainly thought that piano line raised this song to another level!
Billy Preston was the missing link to make The Get Back sessions work. Clear from the long form documentary-those R&B riffs were exactly what those songs needed.
Billy Preston saved the Beatles! The band relationships were in shambles. Billy came on and just chilled everything the album was completed. I will always Love the Beatles and Billy Preston!
Yeah, had The Beatles continued, Preston would have been a great addition. You nailed it when you pointed out the funk element that he added to the band.
The focus of the decision to add Billy Preston is, I feel, a question for Sir Paul McCartney to answer, as when John came to him to ask to add Billy (John was through the roof excited about Billy), Paul told John no, and that it was hard enough with just four of them.
The Beatles were feeling stalled and Paul and George got into it and George left the band for a few days. When he came back, he brought in Billy, which gave them all a breath of fresh air. It was George who brought Eric Clapton to play on his song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. George also wanted Ringo in the band and convinced John and Paul.
That was the last time they played because the Beatles broke up they were thinking about they needed another keyboard player if they were Ghana tour but they decided not to tour anymore.
There Is a video in UA-cam of a 5 years old Sir Billy Preston playing wit Nat king Cole a must see and also I hope that someone can do a review of Billy Preston’s albums and career in Hamburg also with SYREETA and Elton, Harrison and The Rolling Stones as an organ player all the live concerts that he appears pure magic and of course The Beatles catalog the best.Band between others.
Billy Preston was a bit of a prodigy, able to come in nail his parts and add to feel and vibe of the Beatles sound. He dovetailed so effortlessly you notice immediately the rise in energy levels.
The most intriguing thing about the Beatles is imagine you are knowing the best band ever, almost objectively at the time. Imagine the rush, like, from the beginning of time, you are considered the best band ever. Don’t get me wrong, now it’s debatable. But at the time (1969) it wasn’t as much
So now every time you hear that amazing piano solo, you can remember the hunched figure of Billy Preston, as he was working over that electric piano! Masterful! And that melody drives that song HARD right at that point! It makes the sound of that song for me. I also believe in one of my most favorite Beatles instrumental moments, on the Beatles song "Let It Be", Billy is playing the electric piano, and, if I'm not mistaken, the church organ which I have always thought was the most beautiful part of that song instrumentally. So, functionally, for two albums, Billy was functionally part of the band that was the Beatles. John was very excited to keep Billy, but Paul basically said no. This was the period when the tensions between these two men was beginning to rise. I suspect there was more than a little tension between John and Paul over this refusal, and between George and Paul, who also, like John, wanted Billy in the group. The famous 3:1 split which eventually broke up the Beatles. I'm of the believe that Billy could have helped to heal a lot of relationship damage within the Beatles, as they all admired him for his ability, and for just being such a cool, charismatic guy. But I think Paul was too power obsessed and saw Billy as a potential rival to control of the Beatles, which Paul may have thought he had over the band, but this "power" was on very shaky ground by this time. The irony here is that, of all of the Beatles, Paul was the one who was most invested in keeping the Beatles together. I think should he have chosen differently on the Billy Preston question that the course of the Beatles could have been very different indeed.
John floated the idea to add Billy to The Beatles. Paul suggested that it was hard enough to get the four of them to work together by that time. And "by that time" I mean they were about to break up to go their own ways. In the end, this collaboration with Billy Preston extended from the "Let It Be" album to The Beatles last album (Abbey Road) with the song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)."
My take from an alternate universe is that Billy Preston, along with technological advances for live performances, meant that 1.) with Billy in the lineup, and 2.) if the Beatles went back to live performing, they would be taking a big leap in catching up towards the Stones who, in the early '70's, were the leading live rock band in the world at that time. Billy would know, he was in those lineups in many of those live Rolling Stones performances. Certainly he would have added both energy and charisma to the Beatles in this hypothetical, never to be actualized, live performance. At a minimum, it would have been a hell of a show.
Good review, but... John Lennon actually plays the lead guitar on "Get Back," and George Harrison does the rhythm guitar. John worked out the lead when George took one of his breaks from the band, and when George came back there was not enough time for George and John to switch parts. I definitely agree with your assessment of Billy Preston's contribution, as he adds some nice jazz/funk to the mix.
Billy did play with them on a couple of songs on Abbey Road or the White Album. I think it was Abbey Road . Billy was the ONLY person ever mention on the cover of a Beatles album, and that was Let It Be album …
They disnt add him, as you suggested, because they were nota band much longer after this. They left Let It Be unfinished and went off doing their own things, inly gettung rigwthe as a full band agaun in brief sourts to record Abbey Road. That was it.
![WHOAA!! FIRST TIME LISTENING TO THE BEATLES - I'VE GOT A FEELING [FIRST TIME REACTION]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VNyIo5_axUU/mqdefault.jpg)
![WHOAA!! FIRST TIME LISTENING TO THE BEATLES - I'VE GOT A FEELING [FIRST TIME REACTION]](/img/tr.png)
From my perspective, Billy certainly did become part of the Beatles as a band for both the Get Back/Let It Be project and Abbey Road. He also was a member of the live lineup of the Rolling Stones as well. Can you imagine Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Billy Preston all on one stage? Talk about charisma overload! Billy was one amazing performer, RIP.
Billy Preston was present for the recording of backing tracks for Come Together and Something only on Abbey Road
@@grahamechambers6642 no "I Want You (She's So Heavy)? It lists Billy in that recording as well.
@@DJBilodeauThey are quick to down grade Billy aren't they.
Billy Preston’s name is the only non band member to have his name appear on a Beatles record . It was on the 45 rpm of Get Back
What about Tony Sheridan?
@@sortehuse you are correct 👍
With "Don't Let Me Down...." on the B-side!
And that was the last time ever that the Beatles played live together. Ever again 😢
Tears here. They were our lads, and so sad to think how it was really for a very short time. Never again will will see such an avalanche of talent. Very happy that we still have the music to enjoy.
Billy had his own career, plus he contributed enormous talent to many other groups and musicians. He liked playing here and there, all over the world, with different people like Clapton, et al. And now he's playing with so many of the best again. Kick it up Mr. Preston!
He was the Fifth Beatle. They talked about it but the band broke up. He also played a lot with the Rolling Stones.
I don’t know why particularly but I always love that clip of Billy coming in and doing that little dance thing he does.
He totally changed the atmosphere when he just turned up to visit the studio he wasn't asked but the mood changed for the better and the boys started to have fun..
Billy Preston, one of the "5th" Beatles.
Ass munche
that's a bit of a stretch. he played on a few beatles songs. never a permanent part of the band and didn't write any songs
@@kevsta67I'm not the one that called him that. Others did. As a matter of fact, George Martin was sometimes referred to as the 5th Beatle, which makes sense due to his involvement with and influence on them.
Another was, believe it or not, Harry Nilsson. Not because he co-wrote any Beatles songs, or recorded with them, but because he was a strong influence on them, especially John.
When asked what was his favorite group, John said, "Harry Nilsson."
Nilsson usually played all the instruments (except strings) on the songs he wrote.
Of course, when he did an album of standards, he used an orchestra. Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, if I'm no mistaken.
He had a beautiful voice. Listen to his vocal range on Without You. He and John were notoriously kicked out of a couple places in L.A. because they were drunk and disorderly.
George Harrison played guitar on some of Nilsson's recordings.
For what it's worth...
I always liked how John asked Billy to play with them. Of course, Billy said yes. His keyboard input on " Don't Let Me Down " instantly showed the group his contribution was amazing. He continued to be a powerful part of many songs. Organ in " Let it Be, " piano in Lennon's " God " and more.
It was George that asked Billy. They knew him from Hamburg…
@@jacquescousteau217 Yes, George asked Billy to visit them but John asked him to play.
Billy Preston and the Beatles met for the first time in Hamburg (Germany) in 1962. At that time the Beatles were still quite unknown but Billy Preston was already playing in Little Richard's band . He was just 16 and was lucky not to be sent home by the police right away. Because they played in the middle of the red light district.The Hamburg time was probably the wildest and craziest time of the Beatles
And, of course it was Little Richard who taught Paul how to really belt it out. LR told Paul he just had to let it "explode out of the top of your head." Great stuff!!!
@@briandonovan1584 Yes! Paul does the Little Richard high pitched 'woooh!' in a bunch of Beatles' songs, it's sounds great and just like Little Richard.
@@jenniferfoster1692 Damn right. Paul, the man of a thousand voices always sounds great. One of my favorites is Paul howling during all the na na na nas of Hey Jude. Paul is one of if not the most talented entertainers of at least the last century ... And most prolific. I love that guy and have for 60 years ... Amazing. You have an awesome evening, Jennifer!
Brian
@@briandonovan1584 Agree with everything you said. Have a great weekend!
It’s nice to see the smiles of a time when smiles were common.
Billy Preston was invaluable on the songs he played on. So glad the B's and Mr. Preston were friends, and were able to work together. Can't imagine "Get Back" without the keys.
Awesome song and Billy makes it fantastic. Their final performance if memory serves.
Absolutely fantastic and incredible track, made even more incredible by the latest addition to the Beatles, Billy Preston!!!!!!!
Much as when George brought Eric Clapton into the studio for 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and everyone in the band was on best behaviour, his bringing in Billy Preston,who they'd met as a 14 year old(iirc) touring with Little Richard, for what became 'Let It Be' lent much needed cohesion, light-heartedness and an added layer of easy-going musicality to the proceedings. Can't imagine this album without him.
😊🤙🏼🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊
How blessed I was to have lived at the time The Beatles first came out and they have been so meaningful in my life ever since. I've heard some great bands, but nothing compares to the Beatles.
I love the grin that lights up this guys face from almost the first note. There was a comment made about "hey jude" that you can't appreciate the song until you see an audience with the "blissed out" look of joy as they sing along on the chorus on that song. The same thing happens here from almost the opening bar.
Awesome!
Yes, Philip, I totally think it's a worthwhile question to ponder how Billy Preston would have affected Beatles music with his brilliant keyboard work. I think they would have been awesome live with Billy in their lineup.
Haven’t seen this video version before. I love it. Much better seeing the mix with Billy Preston more prominent as a part of the whole scene.
✌️
Their live performance on the roof , their last ever , just shows up their awesome charisma and talent.
A perfect moment in time never to be repeated.
I think they passed the audition.
Already this program shows signs of a classic. Such a great piece of music history when Billy Preston came, for two albums, to the Beatles recording sessions.
Watch the Let It Be film and/or the Peter Jackson Get Back doc and you get the powerful impression that, at the point of everything falling apart, Billy walks into the studio and the rest of the band quickly get their sh*t together out of pure respect
Love your energy,
pure joy & enjoyment of this performance.
Billy Preston was an incredible musician but more importanly an incredible soul. I saw him live in concert in Australia in the early 1980s. Wonderful and very generous performer. He certainly did add an extra dimension to The Beatles sound late in the piece. And Billy's performance on the "Concert for George", especially on "Isn't a Pity" is one of the greatest live performances of the 21st Century.
Cheers from the Land Down Under.
I absolutely love it when you stop the video when Billy Preston's piano solo comes in-so awesome from just a talent standpoint alone!
You're very good at teasing out the details of the music, calling out how Billy's funk and soul on his piano lead married perfectly with (in this case) Paul's (and the Beatles) straight ahead rock! That's a really good observation!
They all look so happy. What a wonderful combination. Wonderful music. Happy times.
Billy was the fifth beatle, he played with them the last time they ever played a live venue
Billy was one of the Great.
The guys loved Billy Preston so much. His musical skills, of course, but also his personality, just a good, positive guy. They liked the good energy he brought to the room, he made them happy while they were going through things between themselves. It was considered to bring him into the band but ultimately they kept it to the 4 original guys. Billy's solo stuff like 'Will it Go Around in Circles' & 'Nothing from Nothing', for example are incredible. He had such energy and could sing and play his ass off, lol. You should definitely check those out.
Love the footage from The Beatles famous, or infamous, rooftop concert, their final public performance. Billy Preston added a lot to the song, and he helped get them to do the "show" on the Apple Records rooftop. My recommendation, get the Blu-Ray called "Get Back" to have and to hold forever. Some of the best money I ever spent.
The Beatles got a new height while Billy was with them.
We are lucky enough to listen what they sound like with a player like Billy Preston.
I personally don't get tired to listen to this.
Thank you very much my friend.
From what I've heard on that day they were getting ready to break up right then and there, but Billy Preston lightened up the mood and talked them into having an impromptu concert on the rooftop. The fab four also called Billy Preston the 5th Beatle. There's also an interview 50 years later with the cop that was dispatched to break up the impromptu concert, poor bastard! Should be able to find it.
Yes, you've got a big smile on your face! You know this is a great achievement of a program! I am so geeked to see this program, there is simply no way to express with words!!!!!!!!
You should do George's "Old Brown Shoe", featuring a track which shows Billy Preston ON BASS performing on a track with Paul McCartney, who is on electric guitar in that take! How amazing the talent of all of these guys! Hope you show that track as you next Beatles track in your series on Billy Preston with the Beatles!
Lennon comment at end of very last live performance:
"I hope we passed the audition."
Massive understatement.
I am thrilled beyond belief!!! This feels like going into a roller coaster ride!!!!
And, of course, I'm coming back once again to samply this program!
This program is just a house on fire Philip! Love that this is now part of your Beatles catalogue! This and "Old Brown Shoe" are a one-two Beatles punch filled with fascination, entertainment, and sheer joy!!!
OMG, 17K views in one month! This is a monster of a program! I know I've loved watching it on repeat myself; going to just have to take another look!
Another beautiful song by Paul McCartney
The very first R&R concert I saw was when I was traveling in Europe in 1974/1975 at 17/18 years old. I was in London in the summer of 1974 and saw Billy Preston at the Rainbow Theatre. Amazing! 🤩😍🥰
Billy snappin on that keyboard
Before the Beatles, Billy Preston was a regular performer on the 1960s rock music show "Shindig!" as part of the house band.
I was lucky enough to watch Billie Preston twice with Clapton
wow.. cool that must have been something
I saw Billy with Ringo's All Star Band. He stole the show!
Fantastic bit of Beatles history here Philip! 4.4K views in 4 days! Beautiful!
So, if you watch the Disney series "Get Back", you would see there was a part where George Harrison, after a contentious interaction with Paul McCartney walked out of the group. Normally George would do the guitar leads for the Beatles, but with George (temporarily) gone, John had to play the guitar solo on this song. He does a pretty good job of it. First Billy Preston does his piano solo, and then the next go round John does his lead guitar part. Put it all together with Paul's strumming bass and Ringo's drumming and you have yet another Beatles classic, the only song since Tony Sheridan (1961) where the Beatles gave a co-credit to another artist on their track. This shows you how much musical respect the Beatles had for Billy. John wanted him in the group. Paul pushed back on that one. Would have loved to see Billy in the lineup for a few more albums; could have been awesome!
In the Get Back documentary, when Billy Preston showed up he brought the mood of the room up so much that they did have a discussion about adding him to the group, but then George got really excited and started suggesting a bunch of other people they could also add. They dropped the discussion after that. He was only there for 3 days though, and they ended up breaking up a few months later after recording Abbey Road. Maybe if they had added him to the group.....
OMG Philip, you do such maximum impact programs! God bless you my brother in doing this for us!!!
Great review… really enjoyed your personal perspective on a great musician joining four of the greatest. What depth he added!
Lennon's lead guitar is quite a surprise. Excellent song with Billy
Wow, it's only been a few hours, and 261 views! This program is drawing attention quickly. Myself, I'm fascinated by the sub-plot where Billy Preston is becoming a functional band member of the Beatles for two albums, Let it Be and Abbey Road. Billy doesn't look out of place at all being a Beatle!
This was so much fun! So glad you did this! I'll be watching this one over and over again!
Billy,the 5th Beatle. ❤
hell yea
Oh, yeah, you passed the audition, guys! Blew it right out of the water, in fact. ❤
I find the little sequence after John and Paul both "slag-off" the recording technician for interrupting the recording where George says, "well, should we have another cup of tea and another ciggie?" to which John quickly retorts, "have a ciggie after this [the take]", and the red recording light comes on and George is startled, saying "oh!" but immediately gets up and starts playing with the band.
Also, of note, is the way John is playing his guitar. He's simply slapping his opened hand across the strings playing rhythm chords. . .I've not seen a rhythm guitarist do that before-interesting technique!
Billy Preston opened for BB King in the early 70's in Honolulu. I was sitting third row center and was blown away. He had the whole arena rocking with him standing there alone on the stage with his keyboard. Class act!
Imagine these songs if Billy hadn't wandered in the studio.
Excellent choice of video … too many UA-camrs use the same videos 😊
The importance of Billy Preston on this album can not be overstated. it simply doesnt happen w/o him. he was exactly what they needed when they needed it.
The leader guitar was in charge of John, the rythm guitar was George's
2.1k views in one day? The Beatles really pull in the views!
I really enjoyed how you described the performance and how it made you feel. And, of course, I agree 100% with you regarding Billy Preston and what he brought to those Beatle sessions. I've been a Beatles fan from they're first US released LP.
Great reaction, great video. Thanks.
Top selling musicians of all time.
So good to see the fifth Beatles as John called him, adding so much to the Let It Be project. Billy's work on keyboard during I Want You,Shes So Heavy Abby Road it spectacular. To see these 5 men jamming together would have been like seeing a religious entity.
John does one of his best sits on lead guitar for this one. The solo is sooooo rock and roll.
soooo rock and roll i agree
So, when you are looking at them on the roof, you can only see Billy's keyboard directly behind George. George blocks our view of Billy playing the keyboards.
No, he’s behind Paul.
Houston, Texas's own Billy Preston.
Billy Preston was essential to Let it Be record and movie. He is also on the roof.
Billy Preston is my favorite Fifth Beatle. In the Get Back documentary, the subject does come up, possibly adding Billy to The Beatles lineup. They may have done so if they themselves were not on the rocks as a band.
The 'guitar riff' is John. You may want to check out the Rooftop version 🎸
Wished I had seen Ringo Starr's All-Star Band with Billy Preston and Dr. John on keyboards in1989.
A great Great Billy Preston song from the seventies is an instrumental funky tune called ' Outta Space'. Give it a listen. You will be tappin' your toes.
I heard George wanted to talk Billy into joining. But Billy had his solo career to think about.
Soooo gooood!
George said they all behaved with Billy there. John proposed adding Billy as an actual fifth Beatle. How cool and unexpected would that have been? Preston was American, black, and gay (though in the closet for decades). He would've made them a very different band.
They seemed to really like him.. and his playing was great.
I love in the beginning of this song you see John just "banging" the strings instead of strumming them. Amazing, because the sound that comes out of his guitar when he does this is perfect! Because they recorded the earlier tracks when George temporarily quit the Beatles a couple of days earlier, John plays lead guitar on this track. But what takes the song to the next level is once John's lead is out of the way, the next section of the song with the lead is none other than Billy Preston coming in on the keyboards. I'm sure John certainly thought that piano line raised this song to another level!
HISTORIC
Billy Preston was the only solo artist to play with The Beatles. 😎
Eric Clapton too.
Billy Preston was the missing link to make The Get Back sessions work. Clear from the long form documentary-those R&B riffs were exactly what those songs needed.
Billy Preston saved the Beatles! The band relationships were in shambles. Billy came on and just chilled everything the album was completed. I will always Love the Beatles and Billy Preston!
Billy Preston was the only artist that ever shared a credit on a Beatles single.
Check out Billy Preston's solo stuff. e.g. 'I Wrote a Simple Song' and 'Outa space'.
Yeah, had The Beatles continued, Preston would have been a great addition. You nailed it when you pointed out the funk element that he added to the band.
The focus of the decision to add Billy Preston is, I feel, a question for Sir Paul McCartney to answer, as when John came to him to ask to add Billy (John was through the roof excited about Billy), Paul told John no, and that it was hard enough with just four of them.
The Beatles were feeling stalled and Paul and George got into it and George left the band for a few days. When he came back, he brought in Billy, which gave them all a breath of fresh air. It was George who brought Eric Clapton to play on his song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. George also wanted Ringo in the band and convinced John and Paul.
Looks like you enjoyed that yes sir!
The major reason Billy Preston wasn't added was because the band broke up later in 1969. It was considered, though.
John suggested it
I've never heard the studio version very clean
That was the last time they played because the Beatles broke up they were thinking about they needed another keyboard player if they were Ghana tour but they decided not to tour anymore.
There
Is a video in UA-cam of a 5 years old Sir Billy Preston playing wit Nat king Cole a must see and also I hope that someone can do a review of Billy Preston’s albums and career in Hamburg also with SYREETA and Elton, Harrison and The Rolling Stones as an organ player all the live concerts that he appears pure magic and of course The Beatles catalog the best.Band between others.
Billy Preston was a bit of a prodigy, able to come in nail his parts and add to feel and vibe of the Beatles sound. He dovetailed so effortlessly you notice immediately the rise in energy levels.
The most intriguing thing about the Beatles is imagine you are knowing the best band ever, almost objectively at the time. Imagine the rush, like, from the beginning of time, you are considered the best band ever. Don’t get me wrong, now it’s debatable. But at the time (1969) it wasn’t as much
So now every time you hear that amazing piano solo, you can remember the hunched figure of Billy Preston, as he was working over that electric piano! Masterful! And that melody drives that song HARD right at that point! It makes the sound of that song for me.
I also believe in one of my most favorite Beatles instrumental moments, on the Beatles song "Let It Be", Billy is playing the electric piano, and, if I'm not mistaken, the church organ which I have always thought was the most beautiful part of that song instrumentally.
So, functionally, for two albums, Billy was functionally part of the band that was the Beatles. John was very excited to keep Billy, but Paul basically said no. This was the period when the tensions between these two men was beginning to rise. I suspect there was more than a little tension between John and Paul over this refusal, and between George and Paul, who also, like John, wanted Billy in the group. The famous 3:1 split which eventually broke up the Beatles.
I'm of the believe that Billy could have helped to heal a lot of relationship damage within the Beatles, as they all admired him for his ability, and for just being such a cool, charismatic guy. But I think Paul was too power obsessed and saw Billy as a potential rival to control of the Beatles, which Paul may have thought he had over the band, but this "power" was on very shaky ground by this time. The irony here is that, of all of the Beatles, Paul was the one who was most invested in keeping the Beatles together. I think should he have chosen differently on the Billy Preston question that the course of the Beatles could have been very different indeed.
Billy does some jazzy stuff on the Beatles "Don't Let Me Down."
John floated the idea to add Billy to The Beatles. Paul suggested that it was hard enough to get the four of them to work together by that time. And "by that time" I mean they were about to break up to go their own ways. In the end, this collaboration with Billy Preston extended from the "Let It Be" album to The Beatles last album (Abbey Road) with the song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)."
My take from an alternate universe is that Billy Preston, along with technological advances for live performances, meant that 1.) with Billy in the lineup, and 2.) if the Beatles went back to live performing, they would be taking a big leap in catching up towards the Stones who, in the early '70's, were the leading live rock band in the world at that time. Billy would know, he was in those lineups in many of those live Rolling Stones performances. Certainly he would have added both energy and charisma to the Beatles in this hypothetical, never to be actualized, live performance. At a minimum, it would have been a hell of a show.
Good review, but... John Lennon actually plays the lead guitar on "Get Back," and George Harrison does the rhythm guitar. John worked out the lead when George took one of his breaks from the band, and when George came back there was not enough time for George and John to switch parts. I definitely agree with your assessment of Billy Preston's contribution, as he adds some nice jazz/funk to the mix.
Billy did play with them on a couple of songs on Abbey Road or the White Album. I think it was Abbey Road . Billy was the ONLY person ever mention on the cover of a Beatles album, and that was Let It Be album …
They disnt add him, as you suggested, because they were nota band much longer after this. They left Let It Be unfinished and went off doing their own things, inly gettung rigwthe as a full band agaun in brief sourts to record Abbey Road. That was it.
Billy went with George on his 1974 Dark Horse tour.
It was George's idea to bring Billy to the studio. It was also Georgia's idea to bring Eric Clapton to the studio.
yup