Billy Preston

Who was the fifth Beatle?  Was it George Martin because of the way he helped them shape their sound?  Stu Sutcliffe the original bass player when they were a 5 piece?  The original drummer Pete Best?  George Harrison was quoted once as saying there was 2 'fifth Beatles', Derek Taylor their PR man and Neil Aspinall their road manager.  Paul McCartney stated that if there was a fifth member it was their manager Brian Epstein.

Or was it Billy Preston?

Billy received joint credit on the song 'Get Back'.  He also played on 'Let It Be', 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)', and 'Don't Let Me Down'.  In 1969 Harrison brought him into the studio to help diffuse the tension that was felt amongst the other band members. It was suggested by John or George (differing stories about who said it) that he even join the group.  Rumour has it Paul said that if we can't get along as a 4 piece, how would adding another member help?  Whatever the outcome, the album 'Let It Be' lists the song credit on 'Get Back as 'The Beatles with Billy Preston'.  This stands as the only time a joint credit was ever given on a Beatles album. The wording separates him from the group but places him higher than a regular session musician.  When they performed their final 'rooftop' concert he was there playing with them.

Some people prefer to call him 'The Black Beatle' that way he doesn't fall into the whole fifth Beatle argument.  I think I'll go with that.

Now logic would dictate that after all this Beatle talk I should include a Beatle/Preston tune in the post.  'Get Back' perhaps?  But by just mentioning it, it's probably already in your head right?  Beatle tunes are easy.  And Billy provided the world with lots of other great music.  'Will It Go Round In Circles', 'Nothing From Nothing' and lots of others.  So I'm pickin' a tune from his 74' album 'The Kids And Me'.

The song I've chosen is 'Struttin', which blew my mind when I first heard it.  Enjoy!

PS - After his time with the Beatles, Billy went on to play with the Stones.  Played keyboards on 7 of their albums, starting with Sticky Fingers.  But that will have to wait for a another time.