"Billy Preston" Premium Unisex T-Shirt

He Met the Beatles When He Was 16. He Was the Only Outside Musician Ever Credited on One of Their Records.

In 1962, Billy Preston was a 16-year-old keyboardist touring Britain with Little Richard. The Beatles were on the same bill — a young band from Liverpool opening for an American rock and roll legend. Preston and George Harrison became friends. It was one of those backstage connections that looked like nothing at the time and turned out to matter enormously.

Seven years later, the Beatles were falling apart. The Let It Be sessions in January 1969 had already been a disaster — arguments, tensions, Harrison briefly quitting the band altogether. When Harrison ran into Preston at an Apple Corps event and brought him into the sessions at Savile Row, something shifted. The atmosphere changed. Nobody could fight in front of a guest. Preston sat down at the electric piano and played. On January 30, 1969, he was on the rooftop of 3 Savile Row when the Beatles performed in public for the last time. "Get Back" was released as a single credited to "The Beatles with Billy Preston" — the only time in their recording career the Beatles shared a label credit with another musician. His organ on "Let It Be" is as essential to that song as anything Lennon or McCartney played.

Preston had been a prodigy his entire life. He appeared on a TV special with Mahalia Jackson at age 10. He was a regular on the Shindig! television show in 1964–65. He played on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, on the Concert for Bangladesh, and with the Rolling Stones on Sticky Fingers and their 1972 American tour. His own solo career produced genuine hits: "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from Nothing" both reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1973 and 1974. He was a Grammy Award winner, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee as part of the Let It Be session, and one of the most in-demand keyboard players of his generation.

Billy Preston passed away on June 6, 2006, at 59. This is a tribute to a man who was present at some of the most important moments in rock history — not as a bystander, but as the person who helped make them happen.

Also in the collection: See our full Classic Rock collection.

Premium Quality

• Bella + Canvas 3001 — Premium unisex tee, true to size
• Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton — Exceptionally soft from the first wear
• Classic unisex fit — Relaxed, versatile, works for everyone
• Tear-away label — Clean comfort, all day

Made to Order

For environmental and quality reasons, this tee is made specifically for you after you order. Please allow approximately one week for production. Tracking information will be sent as soon as it ships.