Those who say that Billy is NOT underrated must have been living under a rock during the 60s70s. Billy never got the recognition he deserved. This guy can play toe to toe with the great Stevie and he's definitely way better than Elton or the other Billy (Joel).
His tallent is huge..genuis level .. other artists recognised it ..hence he was so loved an respected amongst other artists .most of the best rsted him highly ... but I guess commercially..he didn't have the successful solo carreer someone of his tallent shoulda had ... he was like prince b4 prince existed etc... but people r rediscovering him now with the get back film I only recently discovered it was billy playing piano on the johnny cash version of PERSONAL JESUS .. he cud just sit down an jam an recreate magic anytime nite or day ..natural musician
Just watched Get Back. It can’t be emphasised the impact he seemed to have on the cohesion of the music and relationships in the room between the 4 Beatles. He didn’t have to say much. Just sat down - and the warmth of his sound felt like the sun had come out from behind a cloud. Everyone relaxed, everyone was happier, the music was taken deeper. He is a brilliant artist.
When Billy and I were working together at the Sky Pilot's church, on Normandie, in Los Angeles, we were taught to pray verbally and forcefully as our 80 member choir was gathered in the choir room with Aunt Doe. She would shout, "Pray chiren!" prior to going to the choir loft. We became familiar with an automatic event that followed our praise, as the entire 80 member group instantly followed the Doris Akers' directive. Everyone could feel an energy, or POWER, gently descend on us with an overwhelming feeling of PEACE, that couldn't be measured! Members with connections and money from Hollywood, praying with ordinary folks, would become bathed in this slow moving power! FULL GROWN MEN would have real tears dripping off their chins! When Doris, or Billy did a show, the audiences could always FEEL the same miraculous experience! It was the first experience I ever felt in a church and that kept me religious all my life!
God Bless Billy and I'm over the moon he is going into the Rock Hall of Fame 2021. Simply love him to no end. The piano organ exchange between him and Jolls priceless in this version is priceless
I was a junior in high school and went to the local movie theater to watch The Concert for Bangladesh. When Billy performed this song it was SO moving and uplifting. One of the best live performances I have ever seen.
Amen. If you haven’t realised nor acknowledged it through life’s journey, you get past your 60’s and, hallelujah, ‘thy will be done’. It’s a Fact. Always loved your work, Billy. JaneR
To those here after seeing Billy in 'Get Back'...welcome to an incredible journey. There's a reason why all of the Beatles related to him so well...he's brilliant!
I am happy the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally recognized this very talented man. Singer,pianist, ect. Congratulations Mr. Billy Preston. You deserve all the accolades that you get! Unfortunately, this is Postematly which happens to a lot of great entertainers. He would be grateful.
Not unlike between Billy and Eric on the original single. Sadly Eric took the wrong guitar to the Concert for Bangladesh and their interchange there was pretty tame on Eric's side.
It's just so great watching Billy Preston and Jools Holland trading keyboard licks while grinning at each other. This is how it feels, when you're playing with some musicians, making eye contact, affirming each others' shizzle, nodding your head, signalling "that was wicked, do that again, now let's do a variation on that shizzle". Billy Preston was such a positive, life-affirming musical presence, though he struggled desperately with his personal problems. Here's a joyful video of him doing what he did best.
A fine career, an important sideman for both the Beatles and the Stones. I can't believe it took until 2021 for the HOF induction of Billy. I must say Jools always has a good band and arrangements for his guests.
I love the gospel/soul sound. George Harrison produced this song and album back when Billy Preston was on The Beatle's Apple label. Actually George Harrison produced both of Billy's Apple albums.
Yes Billy first performed this live for the concert for Bangladesh which was organised by Harrison. Raise funds for poverty in Bangladesh late 60s early 70s
George brought Billy into the Beatles as a keyboardist and they discussed making him the 5th member before their split. George also introduced Eric Clapton to the Beatles
YEAH! I'm not religious at all, I'm atheist, but this music still touches me! Something about the sound and the singing. There's nothing wrong with liking this music if you aren't relgious and enjoying this kind of music!
@@sweetassugar2076 Preston had suffered kidney disease in his later years, brought on by his hypertension. He received a kidney transplant in 2002, but his health continued to deteriorate. He had voluntarily entered a drug rehabilitation clinic in Malibu, California, at the suggestion of guitarist Is'real Benton, and suffered pericarditis there, leading to respiratory failure that left him in a coma from November 21, 2005.[1] Preston died on June 6, 2006, in Scottsdale, Arizona.[2] Preston's funeral was held June 21, 2006. At the funeral, which lasted almost three hours, Joe Cocker sang, Little Richard reminisced, and a brass band played a stirring version of "Amazing Grace". Other musical performers included The Temptations' lead vocalist Ali Woodson and singer Merry Clayton. A gospel choir, clad in bright red, sang throughout. The mourners also heard letters written by Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and others who had toured and recorded with Preston.[32] He was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.[33] From Wikipedia
Psalms 45:4 In your splendor ride triumphantly in the cause of TRUTH, ""HUMILITY"", and JUSTICE. May your right hand show your awe-inspiring acts. Billy Preston An Angel on Earth!!!
SO , so damn good!!! Billy ascended to the heights of heaven for this song . I don't know what year this was taped but I'm guessing he wasn't very well , but still his God given talent and charisma shone through powerfully ...God bless you Billy!
THANK YOU BILLY PRESTON. MAY GOD KEEP YOU IN GLORY. YOU LIGHTED THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF MILLION PEOPLE WITH YOUR WAY. NOW OUR RAINBOW IS MORE BEAUTIFUL AND YOUR LEGACY STRONGER. YOUR HAMMOND IS, WAS AND WILL BE THE MOST AMAZING, UNIQUE AND INCREDIBLE LET'S KEEP THE ROCK ALIVE !!! BLESSINGS!!!
This is my favorite rendition I have found from Billy..... This is one of his masterpieces. I remember finding about this song.... It was the b-side of will it go round in circles or nothing from nothing .. I can't remember exactly... I just found his rendition of another masterpiece of his you are so beautiful with Patti LaBelle and Joe cocker....and other gems with nat king Cole... Just so talented no matter the demons
I saw the film, "Concert for Bangladesh" at the cinema in 1972 when I was in high school. Billy's soul inspired performance of this song at that concert was so great as he got up from the organ, spiritually inspired, danced across the stage and back to the organ. That was amazing to see. It was not planned. It came from pure inspiration in those moments! He was a great human being.
Why can't we be humble Like the good Lord said He promised to exalt us For love is the way How men be so greedy When there's so much left All things are God given And they all have been blessed That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be, didn't He Well, that's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be, for you and me Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Let not your heart be troubled Let mourning sobbing cease Learn to help one another And live in perfect peace If we just be humble Like the good Lord said He promised to exalt us For love is the way That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be, doesn't He You better believe me That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be, for you and me Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah That's the way, alright Come on, come on, come on I hope you get this message And where you won't others will You don't understand me But I'll love you still That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be You better believe me That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants, He wants it to be That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah That's the way God planned it That's the way God wants it to be Oh, yeah
In 68” Chicago at a five thousand or so house when he played this everybody and I mean everybody cried.. later in the early 80”s I walked into a small local south side nightclub and he was the preforming band.. and the five or six friends that I went there to meet asked me who he was.. I almost cried over that telling them that they were looking at the fifth Beatle!! Then during a break playing to at most a crowd of twenty five or so people I cornered him, and first of all with the highest praise telling of being a devoted fan and he had already played will it go round in circles and space race, I asked him if he was going to play that’s the way?? To he responded that he didn’t play that song anymore.. and walked away I felt like he was under appreciated for sure and wished I could have done something. A great man for sure. RIP Billy we love you
