'Fifth Beatle' Billy Preston Dies at 59

FOX News ^ | June 6, 2006

[JellyJam]

The great singer-songwriter and performer Billy Preston, the real "Fifth Beatle," has died 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 21, but was still struggling to recover. He died at Shea Scottsdale Hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz., 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' hit song "Miss You," and often played with Eric Clapton. He also did the organ work on Sly & the Family Stone's greatest hits.

[JellyJam]

God bless you, Billy. Thank you for the good music.

[Hildy]

RIP. Great performer.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

How does this make Preston the "fifth Beatle" any more than, say, Eric Clapton?

Clearly, the fifth Beatle was Pete Best.

[Obadiah]

Nothin' from nothin' leaves nothin'...

Great performer. By the way, what is a "medical insult"?

[Scarchin]

Great work with the Stones as well. RIP (removed hat)

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

As a result of a medical insult

What, the doctor said something mean to him?

[Fighting Irish]

[P-40]

malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications.

Untreatable high blood pressure?

[Behind Liberal Lines]

PS- The above comment was not intended as a slam on Preston, a great performer in his own right, and, in fact, I would submit that placing so much emphasis on his work with the Beatles only serves to diminish his own legacy.

[kjam22]

I thought "the eggman" was the 5th beatle??

[Red Badger]

As a result of a medical insult...

What's a medical insult?.......

[CT-Freeper]

Clearly, the fifth Beatle was Pete Best.

Don't forget Stu Sutcliffe

[Signalman]

I thought Murray the K was the "fifth" beatle.

[BluH2o]

Clearly, the fifth Beatle was Pete Best.

Exactly.

[b9]

Didn't he sing with one of the American Idol contestants last year?
Vonzelle?

[54-46 Was My Number]

I guess it came 'round in circles. God bless you, Bill. The stuff you did with the Beatles is the best stuff they ever did.

Get the bootlegs if you've never heard him work . . .

[Fighting Irish]

malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications.

Same thing that killed Barry White.

[kjam22]

Nah... Pete Best was the REPLACED beatle.

[Lurking in Kansas]

How does this make Preston the "fifth Beatle" any more than, say, Eric Clapton?

He was given credit on the album. Nobody else ever was.

[Mr. Mojo]

Saw him perform (with full band) about 15 years ago in L.A. (at the Catalina Bar and Grill). One of the best shows I'd seen in a while -- funky as can be. BP loved playing, and he was a pro.

RIP