Billy Preston

Billy Preston

Born: September 2, 1946
Died: June 6, 2006
in Houston, Texas, USA
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.

Movies for Billy Preston...

The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert
Title: The Beatles: Get Back - The Rooftop Concert
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 30, 2022
Type: Movie
On the 30th of January, 1969, the Beatles performed an unannounced concert from the rooftop of their Apple Corps headquarters at Savile Row, within central London's office and fashion district. Experience the final and unforgettable iconic performance of The Beatles in a special 60-minute presentation, digitally remastered into the image and sound quality of IMAX DMR technology.
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Title: The Beatles: Get Back
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 25, 2021
Type: TV
The three-part documentary series, compiled from over 60 hours of unseen footage, captures the warmth, camaraderie, and creative genius that defined the legacy of music’s most iconic foursome. The series also includes – for the first time in its entirety – The Beatles’ final performance at London’s Savile Row.
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In Hollywood's Backyard: Topanga in the 1970s
Title: In Hollywood's Backyard: Topanga in the 1970s
Character: Self
Released: February 15, 2017
Type: Movie
Filmmakers (and canyon residents) Alexander and Anne Christine Von Wetter filmed this documentary for German Television in the early 1970s as a revealing close-up of an extraordinary period in America. The camera masters and 16mm negative were consequently lost to a devastating fire. Luckily, a lone VHS copy had been made, which spent the next 30 years on the studio shelf. The VHS was found heavily damaged, but a restoration team managed to salvage a fair grade of quality, which has since been remastered.
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Kings of Soul
Title: Kings of Soul
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: March 20, 2015
Type: Movie
A documentary celebrating the men whose vocal stylings have carried the torch for soul across six decades.. Featuring footage of Brenton Wood performing Gimme Little Sign and Curtis Mayfield singing Keep On Keeping On, as well as appearances by Billy Preston, Bill Withers, Billy Ocean, Alexander O'Neal, Barry White, Bobby Womack and many more.
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Delaney & Bonnie & Friends: Live In Denmark 1969
Title: Delaney & Bonnie & Friends: Live In Denmark 1969
Character: Self
Released: January 5, 2014
Type: Movie
The band, which consisted of Bobby Whitlock on keys, Carl Radle on bass, Jim Gordon on drums, Jim Price on trumpet, Bobby Keys on saxophone, Rita Coolidge on backing vocals, and Billy Preston on keyboards, is on fire during this performance. Clapton’s presence most definitely brought excitement to this lineup and while George Harrison adds to the curiosity factor, he plays little more than support guitar in the background. Knowing now what this cast of players would go on to do, this makes for one very interesting watch.
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George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Title: George Harrison: Living in the Material World
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 5, 2011
Type: Movie
Director Martin Scorsese profiles former Beatle George Harrison in this reverent portrait that mixes interviews and archival footage, featuring commentary from the likes of Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono.
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Rappin' With The Rickster
Title: Rappin' With The Rickster
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2010
Type: Movie
Join photographer turned public access guru Ricky Powell in this collection of clips from his influential NY TV show, Rappin' With The Rickster.
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Motown at the BBC
Title: Motown at the BBC
Character: Self
Released: February 20, 2009
Type: Movie
To mark the 50-year anniversary of Motown in 2009, a compilation of some of the iconic record label's greatest names filmed live in the BBC studios. Visitors from Hitsville USA over the years have included Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops and The Jackson 5.
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1980
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1980
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2007
Type: Movie
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1975
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1975
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2006
Type: Movie
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George Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited
Title: George Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited
Character: Self
Released: October 24, 2005
Type: Movie
Short documentary focused on the background story of the show, including interviews with cast and crew.
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The Derby Stallion
Title: The Derby Stallion
Character: Will Gentry
Released: July 4, 2005
Type: Movie
An alcoholic former horse-trainer perceives in a fifteen-year-old boy a unique gift of horsemanship and makes it possible for the boy to conceive his dream and pursue it.
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Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
Title: Genius. A Night for Ray Charles
Character: Self
Released: October 7, 2004
Type: Movie
A meld of legendary performers and contemporary artists of today who have been influenced by Ray's music perform in this concert extravaganza.
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Concert for George
Title: Concert for George
Character: Self
Released: October 3, 2003
Type: Movie
As a memorial to George Harrison on the first anniversary of his passing, The Concert for George was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 November 2002 . Organized by Harrison's widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, and arranged under the musical direction of Eric Clapton and Jeff Lynne. A benefit for Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation, the all-star concert took place on the day of the first anniversary of his death. Proceeds from the film also went to the Material World Charitable Foundation. The film was shot using discreet cameras from over twelve locations.
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Alan Simon ‎– Gaia
Title: Alan Simon ‎– Gaia
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2003
Type: Movie
In 2003 Alan Simon created GAIA, a humanitarian concept album dealing with the preservation of the environment and for which many artists responded to the call: Midnight Oil, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues, Zucchero, Jane Birkin, Cesaria Evora, Billy Preston and others. GAIA, was played before 60,000 spectators in Zurich in early 2004. The album entered the Top five in Australia. A special edition with bonus DVD was also released.
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Eric Clapton: One More Car One More Rider
Title: Eric Clapton: One More Car One More Rider
Character: Self - Hammond B-3 Organ, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Released: August 17, 2001
Type: Movie
Clapton, live from Los Angeles' Staples Center on August 18, 2002, part of the sold-out worldwide tour that followed Clapton's 2001 album "Reptile." This concert DVD features live material spanning his entire career. Recorded in concert at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, August 18 2001, this performance spans Clapton's entire career and even throws in a cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for good measure. Based around the album REPTILE, which had just been released at the time, this footage also includes the songs "Layla," "Tears in Heaven," "Sunshine of Your Love" and many more.
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Ticker
Title: Ticker
Character: Blues Band Organ
Released: June 23, 2001
Type: Movie
Ray Nettles, a detective of San Francisco, and his partner Fuzzy must take up to one of the most dangerous terrorist gangs of the city. When one of the terrorists, the beautiful scientist Claire Manning is arrested, Swan, the leader of the terrorists, claims he will detonate bombs throughout the city if she is not released. Because of the possible bloodshed, Nettles calls for the help of explosive expert Frank Glass...
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Blues Brothers 2000
Title: Blues Brothers 2000
Character: The Louisiana Gator Boys
Released: February 5, 1998
Type: Movie
Finally released from prison, Elwood Blues is once again enlisted by Sister Mary Stigmata in her latest crusade to raise funds for a children's hospital. Hitting the road to re-unite the band and win the big prize at the New Orleans Battle of the Bands, Elwood is pursued cross-country by the cops.
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Title: Good News
Character: Billy
Released: August 25, 1997
Type: TV
Good News is an American sitcom that aired on UPN from 1997 to 1998. The series is a spin-off of the UPN series Sparks.
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Title: Classic Albums
Character: Self
Released: April 14, 1997
Type: TV
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
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Title: The Beatles Anthology
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 19, 1995
Type: TV
A documentary series on the career of The Beatles.
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Billy Preston: In Concert - Ohne Filter
Title: Billy Preston: In Concert - Ohne Filter
Character: Self
Released: November 7, 1990
Type: Movie
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Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band
Title: Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band
Character: Self
Released: October 9, 1990
Type: Movie
After an absence of several years (1983's Old Wave had been his last release to date), Ringo surprised everyone by hitting the road for a series of sold-out U.S. concert dates in 1989 and 1990. Keeping with the "With a Little Help from My Friends" aesthetic that produced Ringo's best solo work, the All-Starr Band tour featured appearances by Dr. John, Joe Walsh, Clarence Clemons, Billy Preston, Nils Lofgren, Jim Keltner, and Rick Danko and Levon Helm of the Band. This enjoyable live document does a solid job of capturing the tour's jam-party atmosphere, with most of the guests trading turns at the microphone; Lofgren's wistful "Shine Silently," and Helm and Danko's soulful rendition of "The Weight" are worth the price of admission in themselves. Ringo alternates his biggest solo hits with some well-chosen oldies and generally sounds like he's having the time of his life. --Dan Epstein
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The Kingdom Chums - Original Top Ten
Title: The Kingdom Chums - Original Top Ten
Character: Marvelous Mose (voice)
Released: January 1, 1990
Type: Movie
Join Petey, Annie, and Osborne as they meet the Kingdom Chums and embark on a fun-filled, colorful quest. Essie, Christopher, Marvelous Mose, Little Miriam, and Little David teach the kids the meaning of the Original Top Ten, the Ten Commandments! With a song for each commandment, your kids will be sure to sing a long with each catchy tune!
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Blame It on the Night
Title: Blame It on the Night
Character: Billy Preston
Released: November 2, 1984
Type: Movie
When his unmarried mother dies, custody of 13-year-old Job is assumed by his alleged father, Chris, whom he has never seen. Job is an enthusiastic cadet at a military academy, and Chris turns out to be a top-grossing rock star who removes Job from his beloved school to keep him company on tour. Getting acquainted is fraught with culture shock for both father and son. Written by Paul Emmons
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The Compleat Beatles
Title: The Compleat Beatles
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1982
Type: Movie
Now, for the first time, you can re-live the Beatles legends with this stunning 2-hour musical “Rockumentary”. It’s all there from the wild exuberance of the early Cavern Club days through eight incredible years, to the grim finality of “Let It Be”. See John, Paul, George and Ringo in performance, on tour, in films, recording with George Martin and in rare footage never before seen. Narrated by Malcom McDowell.
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Title: Na sowas!
Character: Self
Released: March 29, 1982
Type: TV
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Title: Okay
Character: Self
Released: November 4, 1979
Type: TV
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Stony Island
Title: Stony Island
Character: Self
Released: November 17, 1978
Type: Movie
Richie Bloom, the only white kid on the block, forms an R&B band with his best friend, Kevin. With the help of their mentor, aging sax legend Percy, they pull together a funky supergroup. Despite few resources and heavy losses this resilient group of dedicated musicians, armed only with wit, sleight of hand and outrageous Chicago bravado must come together to finally make their smash debut.
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Title: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Character: Sgt. Pepper
Released: July 24, 1978
Type: Movie
A small town band makes it big, but loses track of their roots, as they get caught up into the big-time machinations of the music biz. Now, they must thwart a plot to destroy their home town. Built around the music of The Beatles, this musical uses some big name groups like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith.
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Title: Bio’s Bahnhof
Character: Self
Released: February 9, 1978
Type: TV
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Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary
Title: Rolling Stone Magazine: The 10th Anniversary
Character: Self
Released: November 25, 1977
Type: Movie
Train wreck, some might call it a TV special, proving that not everything was better in the good old days. That includes Rolling Stone Magazine.
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Title: Donny & Marie
Character: Self
Released: January 23, 1976
Type: TV
Donny & Marie is an American variety show which aired on ABC from January 1976 to January 1979. The show stars brother and sister pop duo Donny Osmond and Marie Osmond. Donny had first become popular singing in a music group with his brothers, The Osmonds, and Marie was one of the youngest singers to reach #1 on the Billboard Country Music charts. The siblings were offered a weekly show by ABC-TV President Fred Silverman after he saw the duo co-host a week on The Mike Douglas Show which followed their series of popular remakes of oldies, such as "I'm Leaving It Up To You", "Morning Side Of The Mountain", "Deep Purple" and "Make The World Go Away". Donny and Marie were the youngest entertainers in TV history to host their own variety show. A year later, The Keane Brothers would break this record.
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Title: Saturday Night Live
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: October 11, 1975
Type: TV
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.
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Title: Les Rendez-vous du dimanche
Character: Self
Released: January 12, 1975
Type: TV
A talk show presented by Michel Drucker
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1973
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1973
Character: Self
Released: December 22, 1973
Type: Movie
The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981. The ninety-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show typically featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when singer Helen Reddy served as the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer and frequent guest host. The program's theme song, a traditional folk song called "Midnight Special", was performed by Johnny Rivers.
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Title: Rock Concert
Character: Self
Released: September 27, 1973
Type: TV
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is an American television music variety show that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Don Kirshner and syndicated to television stations. It premiered on September 27, 1973, with a performance by The Rolling Stones; its last episode was in 1981.
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Title: Musikladen
Character: Self
Released: December 13, 1972
Type: TV
Der Musikladen was a West German music television programme that ran from December 13, 1972 to November 29, 1984. The show continued the 1960s Beat-Club under a new name, and in turn was replaced by Extratour.
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Title: The Midnight Special
Character: Self
Released: August 19, 1972
Type: TV
The Midnight Special is an American late-night musical variety series that aired on NBC during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Burt Sugarman. It premiered as a special on August 19, 1972, then began its run as a regular series on February 2, 1973; its last episode was on May 1, 1981. The ninety-minute program followed the Friday night edition of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The show typically featured guest hosts, except for a period from July 1975 through March 1976 when singer Helen Reddy served as the regular host. Wolfman Jack served as the announcer and frequent guest host. The series also occasionally aired vintage footage of older acts. As the program neared the end of its run in the early 1980s, it began to frequently use lip-synched performances rather than live. The program also featured occasional comedic performances such as Richard Pryor and Andy Kaufman.
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The Concert for Bangladesh
Title: The Concert for Bangladesh
Character: Self
Released: March 23, 1972
Type: Movie
A film about the first benefit rock concert when major musicians performed to raise relief funds for the poor of Bangladesh. The Concert for Bangladesh was a pair of benefit concerts organised by former Beatles guitarist George Harrison and Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar. The shows were held at 2:30 and 8:00 pm on Sunday, 1 August 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, to raise international awareness of, and fund relief for refugees from East Pakistan, following the Bangladesh Liberation War-related genocide.
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Title: Rollin' On The River
Released: February 13, 1971
Type: TV
Rollin' On The River 1971-72 - (Rollin 1972-73) was a Canadian Music Variety Series hosted by Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. They were the first pop-rock group to host their own prime-time TV series. - 53 episodes x 60 min - Featured guests included: Tina Turner, Merle Haggard, Bo Diddley, April Wine, Bill Withers, The Raiders, Cheech & Chong, The Stampeders, Bruce Cockburn, The Grass Roots, The Five Man Electrical Band, Lighthouse, Climax, Billy Preston, Jim Croce, Kris Kristofferson, Jose Feliciano, Mac Davis, Ronnie Hawkins, John Kay, Chilliwack, Looking Glass, The James Gang, The Poppy Family, Ian & Sylvia, Pat Paulsen, Helen Reddy, Andy Kim, John Stewart and many others. *Note: The series was an hour long in Canada. In the U.S. it was only half an hour, and Canadian talents were excised from the show for prime-time viewing.
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Let It Be
Title: Let It Be
Character: Self (uncredited)
Released: May 13, 1970
Type: Movie
The filmed account of The Beatles' attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back to basics album, which instead drove them further apart.
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Title: The Price of Fame or Fame at any Price
Character: Self
Released: September 17, 1969
Type: TV
Featuring the combined and various talents of Georgie Fame and Alan Price
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The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent
Title: The Beatles: Get Back...Winter of Discontent
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: January 29, 1969
Type: Movie
This is a "Fly on the Wall" look at The Beatles' recording sessions from productive days at Apple Studios January 23 to 29, 1969. Most of this footage did not make the final cut for the film, Let It Be. We see the Beatles chat, joke, tune, rehearse and try some serious attempts at recording. Over 75% of this footage has not been seen in this form, meaning inferior copies of some of this footage has circulated, but contained few moments of audio that matched the film.
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Title: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1962
Type: TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
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St. Louis Blues
Title: St. Louis Blues
Character: Will Handy as a Boy
Released: April 7, 1958
Type: Movie
Will Handy grows up in Memphis with his preacher father and his Aunt Hagar. His father intends for him to use his musical gifts only in church, but he can't stay away from the music of the streets and workers. After he writes a theme song for a local politician, Gogo, a speakeasy singer, convinces Will to be her accompanist. Will is estranged from his father for many years while he writes and publishes many blues songs. At last the family is reunited when Gogo brings them to New York to see Will's music played by a symphony orchestra.