Billy Preston: The Rise, Fall, and Legacy of Rock's Invisible Genius

Billy Preston is the only outside musician ever credited on a Beatles single: “Get Back” by “The Beatles with Billy Preston.”​This episode traces the life of Billy Preston, and how a gospel-bred keyboard genius went from the Hamburg circuit to the most tense weeks in Beatles history. And why his presence is often credited with improving the mood and momentum of the Get Back sessions.​The story expands beyond the Beatles, covering the major aspects of his life: solo stardom, funk innovation, and the complicated human cost of living in the spotlight while carrying private burdens.