Billy Preston Net Worth - Pulptastic
What was Billy Preston’s Net Worth?
Billy Preston, the American musician, had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death at the age of 59 on June 6, 2006.
Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 60s, playing for major artists such as Little Richard, Ray Charles, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. He later found success as a solo artist with hit singles like “Outa-Space,” “Nothing from Nothing,” and “With You I’m Born Again.”
Since his death, the value of Billy’s music catalog and royalty stream has been proven to be worth many millions more.
Billy Preston’s Early Life and Talent
Born on September 2, 1946 in Houston, Texas, Billy Preston was raised by his mother Robbie in Los Angeles. He was a child prodigy, learning music entirely on his own and playing the organ at the age of ten. He often played backup to gospel singers including Mahalia Jackson. At the age of 11, Preston sang “Blueberry Hill” with Nat King Cole on his television show. He also appeared in the movie “St. Louis Blues” with Cole.
Billy Preston’s Collaboration with the Beatles
In 1962, Billy Preston joined Little Richard’s band as an organist and later met the Beatles while performing in Hamburg. In 1969, George Harrison brought Preston to the studio to alleviate some of the tension among the Beatles during their “Get Back” sessions. Preston played the organ and electric piano on many of the sessions and accompanied the Beatles on electric piano for their rooftop concert. The song “Get Back” was credited to both the Beatles and Preston, and he also played the organ on “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” and “Something” from “Abbey Road.”
Billy Preston’s Career Highlights
Billy Preston released his first solo album, “16 Yr. Old Soul,” in 1963. He then became a regular performer on the TV series “Shindig!” and released the instrumental album “The Most Exciting Organ Ever” in 1965. In 1969, he signed with the Beatles’ Apple label and released “That’s the Way God Planned It,” produced by George Harrison. He continued to collaborate with Harrison after the Beatles disbanded and had hits with “Outa-Space,” “Will it Go Round in Circles,” and “Nothing from Nothing.” In 1979, he signed with Motown and had a hit duet with Syreeta Wright on “With You I’m Born Again.” In the 80s, he struggled with addiction but continued to release albums, including “The Way I Am” and “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down.” His final solo studio album was “You and I,” released in 1997.
Billy Preston’s Notable Collaborations
Billy Preston played keyboards for the Rolling Stones throughout the 70s, contributing to albums such as “Sticky Fingers,” “Exile on Main St.,” and “Black and Blue.” He also composed Joe Cocker’s hit song “You Are So Beautiful” and did session work for Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, and Whitney Houston in the 80s. Preston toured with Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and the Band, and appeared on Johnny Cash’s album “American IV: The Man Comes Around.” He also collaborated with the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their album “Stadium Arcadium” and contributed to Neil Diamond’s album “12 Song” and Eric Clapton and J. J. Cale’s album “The Road to Escondido” in the mid-2000s.
Preston’s Struggles with Accepting Homosexuality and Coping with Sexual Abuse
Preston faced challenges in accepting his homosexuality and coping with the effects of sexual abuse he experienced as a child. He only publicly came out as gay shortly before his death.
Prior to coming out, Preston was engaged to actress and model Kathy Silva. However, he broke off the engagement after discovering her in bed with his friend and collaborator Sly Stone.
Billy Preston’s Troubled Past
After breaking off his engagement with Silva, Preston began abusing cocaine and alcohol to cope. In 1991, he entered a drug rehab program to treat his addictions. However, he got into serious trouble that summer while on probation, when he was arrested for sexually abusing a 16-year-old boy. The sex charges were eventually dismissed, and Preston was sentenced to nine months in rehab and three months of house arrest.
He continued to court trouble over the ensuing years; in 1997, he was sentenced to three years in prison for cocaine possession. While in jail, he was indicted for a $1 million insurance fraud scheme after he set fire to his home in Los Angeles. Preston ultimately served 18 months of a four-year sentence at Avenal State Prison, where he also performed church services.
Billy Preston’s Death and Funeral
Billy Preston passed away in June 2006 while in a coma caused by respiratory failure. He had been suffering from kidney disease and received a kidney transplant in 2002. His funeral, which lasted three hours, was attended by many of his friends and collaborators, including Joe Cocker, Little Richard, and Merry Clayton.
