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Singer-songwriter Billy Preston, known as the "Real Fifth Beatle," died Tuesday as a result of malignant hypertension that resulted in kidney failure and other complications, CNN reported. He was 59. He'd been in a deep coma since last Nov. 21, but was still struggling to recover, according to the network. Although he received a kidney transplant in 2002, the kidney later failed, forcing Preston to endure frequent dialysis treatments until his death. At the time of his death, Preston was residing at Shea Scottsdale Hospital in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he had been living for several years. Preston 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. Preston also did the organ work on Sly & the Family Stone's greatest hits. His own hits include "Nothing From Nothing," "Born Again," "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "You Are So Beautiful,"which Joe Cocker turned into an international hit. From the beginning, Preston seemed destined for greatness. He began taking piano lessons at age 3 and played keyboards for Mahalia Jackson when he was only 10. One of his early mentors was the late Ray Charles, while artists like Little Richard and James Cleveland influenced him early on. Although his health was in decline in recent years, Preston appeared on the most recent albums by Neil Diamond and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. |