Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
September 2, 1946
Died
June 6, 2006 (age 59)
Place of Birth
Houston, Texas, USA
Also Known As
William Everett Preston
Billy Preston
Biography
William Everett Preston was an American musician, whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, during which he backed artists such as Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Everly Brothers, Reverend James Cleveland, The Rolling Stones, and the Beatles.
Known For
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musical Guest
1975
TV
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
TV
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Self
1975
TV
Na sowas!
Self
1982
TV
Musikladen
Self
1972
TV
Dinah!
Self
1974
TV
Donny & Marie
Self
1976
TV
Classic Albums
Self
1997
TV
Rock Concert
Self
1973
TV
The Midnight Special
Self
1972
TV
Okay
Self
1979
TV
Bio’s Bahnhof
Self
1978
TV
The Beatles: Get Back
Self
2021
TV
Good News
Billy
1997
Film
Blues Brothers 2000
The Louisiana Gator Boys
1998
Film
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Self (archive footage)
2025
TV
Rollin' On The River
1971
Film
Ticker
Blues Band Organ
2001
Film
Concert for George
Self
2003
Filmography
2026FilmBilly Preston: That's the Way God Planned Itas Self2025FilmLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Musicas Self (archive footage)2023FilmSunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivanas Self (archive footage)2022FilmThe Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concertas Self (archive footage)2021TVThe Beatles: Get Backas Self2017FilmIn Hollywood's Backyard: Topanga in the 1970sas Self2015FilmKings of Soulas Self (archive footage)2014FilmDelaney & Bonnie & Friends: Live In Denmark 1969as Self2010FilmRappin' With The Ricksteras Self2009FilmMotown at the BBCas Self2007FilmThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1980as Self2006FilmThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1975as Self2005FilmGeorge Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisitedas Self2005FilmThe Derby Stallionas Will Gentry2005FilmThe Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontentas Self (archive footage)2004FilmEric Clapton: Sessions for Robert Jas Self2004FilmGenius. A Night for Ray Charlesas Self2004FilmEric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festivalas Self2003FilmConcert for Georgeas Self2003FilmAlan Simon – Gaiaas Self2001FilmEric Clapton: One More Car One More Rideras Self - Hammond B-3 Organ, Keyboards, Backing Vocals2001FilmTickeras Blues Band Organ1998FilmBlues Brothers 2000as The Louisiana Gator Boys1997TVGood Newsas Billy1997TVClassic Albumsas Self1990FilmBilly Preston: In Concert - Ohne Filteras Self1990FilmRingo Starr and His All-Starr Bandas Self1990FilmThe Kingdom Chums - Original Top Tenas Marvelous Mose (voice)1984FilmBlame It on the Nightas Billy Preston1982FilmThe Compleat Beatlesas Self1982TVNa sowas!as Self1979TVOkayas Self1978FilmStony Islandas Self1978FilmSgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Bandas Sgt. Pepper1978TVBio’s Bahnhofas Self1977FilmRolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversaryas Self1976TVDonny & Marieas Self1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Musical Guest1975FilmThe Rolling Stones: L.A. Friday (Live 1975)as Self1975TVLes Rendez-vous du dimancheas Self1974FilmGeorge Harrison: Live in North America 19741974TVDinah!as Self1973FilmThe Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1973as Self1973TVRock Concertas Self1972TVMusikladenas Self1972TVThe Midnight Specialas Self1972FilmThe Concert for Bangladeshas Self1971TVRollin' On The River1970FilmLet It Beas Self (uncredited)1969TVThe Price of Fame or Fame at any Priceas Self1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self1961TVThe Mike Douglas Showas Self1958FilmSt. Louis Bluesas Will Handy as a Boy