As one of the most talked-about figures, Billy Preston has built a significant fortune. In this article, we dive deep into the assets and career highlights.

What Was Billy Preston's Net Worth?

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Billy was one of the top session keyboardists in the '60s. During the decade, he backed such major artists asLittle Richard,Ray Charles, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles. Later, Preston found success as a solo artist with a number of hit singles, including "Outa-Space," "Nothing from Nothing," and "With You I'm Born Again."

During many of the "Get Back" sessions, Billy played the organ and electric piano. He also accompanied the Beatles on electric piano for their famous valedictory rooftop concert. In April 1969, the song "Get Back" was credited to both the Beatles and Preston. Beyond his contributions to the "Get Back" sessions, Billy also played the organ on "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and "Something" from "Abbey Road."

Billy Preston was an American musician who had a net worth of $1 million at the time of his death. Over time, after his death, the value of Billy Preston's music catalog and royalty stream would prove to be extremely valuable, worth many millions more. Preston died on June 6, 2006, at the age of 59.

In 1962, Preston became an organist in Little Richard's band, and while performing in Hamburg, he met the Beatles. They later met each other again for a more fortuitous encounter in 1969, when the Beatles were on the verge of breaking up.George Harrison, a good friend of Preston, had left the band and gone to a Ray Charles concert where Billy was playing organ. Harrison then brought Preston to the studio, where he was able to alleviate some of the tension among the Beatles.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

As a solo artist, Preston released his first album, "16 Yr. Old Soul," in 1963. This was followed by the instrumental album "The Most Exciting Organ Ever," which was released in 1965 when Billy was a regular performer on the musical variety television series "Shindig!" While signed to the Beatles' Apple label in 1969, Preston released "That's the Way God Planned It," which was produced by George Harrison; its title track became a hit single in the UK. Preston continued to partner with Harrison after the Beatles broke up in 1970, appearing on many of Harrison's solo albums. In 1971, after leaving Apple and signing with A&M Records, Billy released his most commercially successful album yet, "I Wrote a Simple Song." The album launched the hit instrumental single "Outa-Space," which peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 before going on to win the Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

Billy Preston was born William Everett Preston on September 2, 1946, in Houston, Texas. He was raised by his mother, Robbie, in Los Angeles. A child prodigy, Billy learned music entirely on his own, and by the age of ten, he was playing the organ as backup to gospel singers such asMahalia Jackson. When he was 11, Preston appeared onNat King Cole'stelevision show, singing "Blueberry Hill" with the famous artist. Shortly after this, he appeared in the movie "St. Louis Blues," starring Cole.

Preston continued his success in 1972 with the album "Music is My Life," which spawned the chart-topping single "Will it Go Round in Circles." He subsequently enjoyed major hits with "Nothing from Nothing," from his 1974 album "The Kids & Me," and "Space Race," from his album "Everybody Likes Some Kind of Music." In 1979, after seven years with A&M, Billy signed to Motown. He then did a duet with Syreeta Wright on the ballad "With You I'm Born Again," which hit #4 in the US. In the '80s, Preston lost much of his career momentum due to his alcohol and cocaine addictions and mostly focused on session work. His albums during this time were "The Way I Am," "Pressin' On," "On the Air," and "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down." Following a nine-year hiatus, he returned in 1995 with "Billy's Back." His final solo studio album, "You and I," came out in 1997.

Ultimately, Billy Preston's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.