THE BEATLES (WITH BILLY PRESTON) - GET BACK | REACTION AND REVIEW

[@DJBilodeau]

From my perspective, Billy certainly did become part of the Beatles as a band for both the Get Back/Let It Be project and Abbey Road. He also was a member of the live lineup of the Rolling Stones as well. Can you imagine Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Billy Preston all on one stage? Talk about charisma overload! Billy was one amazing performer, RIP.

[@grahamechambers6642]

Billy Preston was present for the recording of backing tracks for Come Together and Something only on Abbey Road

[@DJBilodeau]

@@grahamechambers6642 no "I Want You (She's So Heavy)? It lists Billy in that recording as well.

[@jnagarya519]

Lennon comment at end of very last live performance: "I hope we passed the audition." Massive understatement.

[@pammickle3935]

Billy Preston was essential to Let it Be record and movie. He is also on the roof.

[@genebaughbba]

That was the last time they played because the Beatles broke up they were thinking about they needed another keyboard player if they were Ghana tour but they decided not to tour anymore.

[@StanSwan]

Jo Jo was the name of Paul's wife's ex who she had a child with Linda also lived with Jimi Hendrix for about 8 months in London. This Jo Jo guy was after Linda for money and this song was really telling him to f-off. lol

[@raymondmanderville505]

Billy Preston’s name is the only non band member to have his name appear on a Beatles record . It was on the 45 rpm of Get Back

[@sortehuse]

What about Tony Sheridan?

[@raymondmanderville505]

@@sortehuse you are correct 👍

[@dilandilanjoao4310]

And that was the last time ever that the Beatles played live together. Ever again 😢

[@sarahdee374]

Tears here. They were our lads, and so sad to think how it was really for a very short time. Never again will will see such an avalanche of talent. Very happy that we still have the music to enjoy.

[@stephenwilliams1354]

He was the Fifth Beatle. They talked about it but the band broke up. He also played a lot with the Rolling Stones.

[@Cynthia...]

Awesome song and Billy makes it fantastic. Their final performance if memory serves.

[@AlBarzUK]

Haven’t seen this video version before. I love it. Much better seeing the mix with Billy Preston more prominent as a part of the whole scene. ✌️

[@damonhines8187]

Much as when George brought Eric Clapton into the studio for 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and everyone in the band was on best behaviour, his bringing in Billy Preston,who they'd met as a 14 year old(iirc) touring with Little Richard, for what became 'Let It Be' lent much needed cohesion, light-heartedness and an added layer of easy-going musicality to the proceedings. Can't imagine this album without him. 😊🤙🏼🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊

[@BenjaminNavillus]

I don’t know why particularly but I always love that clip of Billy coming in and doing that little dance thing he does.

[@jamesdrynan]

I always liked how John asked Billy to play with them. Of course, Billy said yes. His keyboard input on " Don't Let Me Down " instantly showed the group his contribution was amazing. He continued to be a powerful part of many songs. Organ in " Let it Be, " piano in Lennon's " God " and more.

[@jacquescousteau217]

It was George that asked Billy. They knew him from Hamburg…

[@jamesdrynan]

@@jacquescousteau217 Yes, George asked Billy to visit them but John asked him to play.

[@westfale520]

Billy Preston and the Beatles met for the first time in Hamburg (Germany) in 1962. At that time the Beatles were still quite unknown but Billy Preston was already playing in Little Richard's band . He was just 16 and was lucky not to be sent home by the police right away. Because they played in the middle of the red light district.The Hamburg time was probably the wildest and craziest time of the Beatles

[@briandonovan1584]

And, of course it was Little Richard who taught Paul how to really belt it out. LR told Paul he just had to let it "explode out of the top of your head." Great stuff!!!

[@jenniferfoster1692]

@@briandonovan1584 Yes! Paul does the Little Richard high pitched 'woooh!' in a bunch of Beatles' songs, it's sounds great and just like Little Richard.

[@briandonovan1584]

@@jenniferfoster1692 Damn right. Paul, the man of a thousand voices always sounds great. One of my favorites is Paul howling during all the na na na nas of Hey Jude. Paul is one of if not the most talented entertainers of at least the last century ... And most prolific. I love that guy and have for 60 years ... Amazing. You have an awesome evening, Jennifer! Brian

[@jenniferfoster1692]

@@briandonovan1584 Agree with everything you said. Have a great weekend!

[@DJBilodeau]

Wow, it's only been a few hours, and 261 views! This program is drawing attention quickly. Myself, I'm fascinated by the sub-plot where Billy Preston is becoming a functional band member of the Beatles for two albums, Let it Be and Abbey Road. Billy doesn't look out of place at all being a Beatle!

[@DJBilodeau]

You should do George's "Old Brown Shoe", featuring a track which shows Billy Preston ON BASS performing on a track with Paul McCartney, who is on electric guitar in that take! How amazing the talent of all of these guys! Hope you show that track as you next Beatles track in your series on Billy Preston with the Beatles!

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Billy Preston was invaluable on the songs he played on. So glad the B's and Mr. Preston were friends, and were able to work together. Can't imagine "Get Back" without the keys.

[@DJBilodeau]

Absolutely fantastic and incredible track, made even more incredible by the latest addition to the Beatles, Billy Preston!!!!!!!

[@jefferyshute6641]

Billy Preston, one of the "5th" Beatles.

[@Brandi6666]

Ass munche

[@kevsta67]

that's a bit of a stretch. he played on a few beatles songs. never a permanent part of the band and didn't write any songs

[@jefferyshute6641]

​​@@kevsta67I'm not the one that called him that. Others did. As a matter of fact, George Martin was sometimes referred to as the 5th Beatle, which makes sense due to his involvement with and influence on them. Another was, believe it or not, Harry Nilsson. Not because he co-wrote any Beatles songs, or recorded with them, but because he was a strong influence on them, especially John. When asked what was his favorite group, John said, "Harry Nilsson." Nilsson usually played all the instruments (except strings) on the songs he wrote. Of course, when he did an album of standards, he used an orchestra. Nelson Riddle and his orchestra, if I'm no mistaken. He had a beautiful voice. Listen to his vocal range on Without You. He and John were notoriously kicked out of a couple places in L.A. because they were drunk and disorderly. George Harrison played guitar on some of Nilsson's recordings. For what it's worth...

[@barbMahnke-if9gn]

I love the grin that lights up this guys face from almost the first note. There was a comment made about "hey jude" that you can't appreciate the song until you see an audience with the "blissed out" look of joy as they sing along on the chorus on that song. The same thing happens here from almost the opening bar. Awesome!

[@DJBilodeau]

Yes, Philip, I totally think it's a worthwhile question to ponder how Billy Preston would have affected Beatles music with his brilliant keyboard work. I think they would have been awesome live with Billy in their lineup.

[@DJBilodeau]

I find the little sequence after John and Paul both "slag-off" the recording technician for interrupting the recording where George says, "well, should we have another cup of tea and another ciggie?" to which John quickly retorts, "have a ciggie after this [the take]", and the red recording light comes on and George is startled, saying "oh!" but immediately gets up and starts playing with the band. Also, of note, is the way John is playing his guitar. He's simply slapping his opened hand across the strings playing rhythm chords. . .I've not seen a rhythm guitarist do that before-interesting technique!

[@mohamedfarook7140]

Another beautiful song by Paul McCartney

[@hg4144]

Excellent choice of video … too many KZbinrs use the same videos 😊

[@dianaspy6733]

It’s nice to see the smiles of a time when smiles were common.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

The guys loved Billy Preston so much. His musical skills, of course, but also his personality, just a good, positive guy. They liked the good energy he brought to the room, he made them happy while they were going through things between themselves. It was considered to bring him into the band but ultimately they kept it to the 4 original guys. Billy's solo stuff like 'Will it Go Around in Circles' & 'Nothing from Nothing', for example are incredible. He had such energy and could sing and play his ass off, lol. You should definitely check those out.

[@DJBilodeau]

So, if you watch the Disney series "Get Back", you would see there was a part where George Harrison, after a contentious interaction with Paul McCartney walked out of the group. Normally George would do the guitar leads for the Beatles, but with George (temporarily) gone, John had to play the guitar solo on this song. He does a pretty good job of it. First Billy Preston does his piano solo, and then the next go round John does his lead guitar part. Put it all together with Paul's strumming bass and Ringo's drumming and you have yet another Beatles classic, the only song since Tony Sheridan (1961) where the Beatles gave a co-credit to another artist on their track. This shows you how much musical respect the Beatles had for Billy. John wanted him in the group. Paul pushed back on that one. Would have loved to see Billy in the lineup for a few more albums; could have been awesome!

[@DJBilodeau]

I absolutely love it when you stop the video when Billy Preston's piano solo comes in-so awesome from just a talent standpoint alone!

[@tw238]

Love your energy, pure joy & enjoyment of this performance.

[@richardmartin9565]

Before the Beatles, Billy Preston was a regular performer on the 1960s rock music show "Shindig!" as part of the house band.

[@DJBilodeau]

Already this program shows signs of a classic. Such a great piece of music history when Billy Preston came, for two albums, to the Beatles recording sessions.

[@bobschenkel7921]

Love the footage from The Beatles famous, or infamous, rooftop concert, their final public performance. Billy Preston added a lot to the song, and he helped get them to do the "show" on the Apple Records rooftop. My recommendation, get the Blu-Ray called "Get Back" to have and to hold forever. Some of the best money I ever spent.

[@nanook8721]

How blessed I was to have lived at the time The Beatles first came out and they have been so meaningful in my life ever since. I've heard some great bands, but nothing compares to the Beatles.

[@DJBilodeau]

You're very good at teasing out the details of the music, calling out how Billy's funk and soul on his piano lead married perfectly with (in this case) Paul's (and the Beatles) straight ahead rock! That's a really good observation!

[@shave-a-thon3415]

The major reason Billy Preston wasn't added was because the band broke up later in 1969. It was considered, though.

[@jeffnaslund]

John suggested it

[@DJBilodeau]

Yes, you've got a big smile on your face! You know this is a great achievement of a program! I am so geeked to see this program, there is simply no way to express with words!!!!!!!!

[@WeenedOnGin]

From what I've heard on that day they were getting ready to break up right then and there, but Billy Preston lightened up the mood and talked them into having an impromptu concert on the rooftop. The fab four also called Billy Preston the 5th Beatle. There's also an interview 50 years later with the cop that was dispatched to break up the impromptu concert, poor bastard! Should be able to find it.

[@lia53233]

In the Get Back documentary, when Billy Preston showed up he brought the mood of the room up so much that they did have a discussion about adding him to the group, but then George got really excited and started suggesting a bunch of other people they could also add. They dropped the discussion after that. He was only there for 3 days though, and they ended up breaking up a few months later after recording Abbey Road. Maybe if they had added him to the group.....

The leader guitar was in charge of John, the rythm guitar was George's

[@ChirumboloFilm]

Fun fact (maybe): There are more 5th Beatles than there are Beatles.

[@johnathanstruble1064]

Billy,the 5th Beatle. ❤

[@PhiliminizzyReacts]

hell yea

[@DJBilodeau]

OMG Philip, you do such maximum impact programs! God bless you my brother in doing this for us!!!

[@paulyoung8108]

Billy was the fifth beatle, he played with them the last time they ever played a live venue

[@DJBilodeau]

OMG, 17K views in one month! This is a monster of a program! I know I've loved watching it on repeat myself; going to just have to take another look!

[@DJBilodeau]

And, of course, I'm coming back once again to samply this program!

[@futurereflections4097]

The most intriguing thing about the Beatles is imagine you are knowing the best band ever, almost objectively at the time. Imagine the rush, like, from the beginning of time, you are considered the best band ever. Don’t get me wrong, now it’s debatable. But at the time (1969) it wasn’t as much

[@DJBilodeau]

This was so much fun! So glad you did this! I'll be watching this one over and over again!

[@shelleybleu4903]

Look at Yoko. Really ruined everything for these guys.

[@danduntz2539]

You know that she didn’t break up the Beatles right?

[@dailyflash]

George said they all behaved with Billy there. John proposed adding Billy as an actual fifth Beatle. How cool and unexpected would that have been? Preston was American, black, and gay (though in the closet for decades). He would've made them a very different band.

[@rolfw2336]

They seemed to really like him.. and his playing was great.

[@DJBilodeau]

2.1k views in one day? The Beatles really pull in the views!

[@DJBilodeau]

This program is just a house on fire Philip! Love that this is now part of your Beatles catalogue! This and "Old Brown Shoe" are a one-two Beatles punch filled with fascination, entertainment, and sheer joy!!!

[@aweebunny]

A great Great Billy Preston song from the seventies is an instrumental funky tune called ' Outta Space'. Give it a listen. You will be tappin' your toes.

[@DJBilodeau]

I am thrilled beyond belief!!! This feels like going into a roller coaster ride!!!!

[@gileshalliwell3591]

Great review… really enjoyed your personal perspective on a great musician joining four of the greatest. What depth he added!

[@kaychristensen4394]

Billy Preston was the only solo artist to play with The Beatles. 😎

[@MaggieJohnson-vn6su]

Eric Clapton too.

[@donpardo2510]

Imagine these songs if Billy hadn't wandered in the studio.

[@DJBilodeau]

Fantastic bit of Beatles history here Philip! 4.4K views in 4 days! Beautiful!

[@DJBilodeau]

So, when you are looking at them on the roof, you can only see Billy's keyboard directly behind George. George blocks our view of Billy playing the keyboards.

[@BronyDanProductions]

No, he’s behind Paul.

[@DJBilodeau]

The focus of the decision to add Billy Preston is, I feel, a question for Sir Paul McCartney to answer, as when John came to him to ask to add Billy (John was through the roof excited about Billy), Paul told John no, and that it was hard enough with just four of them.

[@ChannelSseb]

The Beatles were feeling stalled and Paul and George got into it and George left the band for a few days. When he came back, he brought in Billy, which gave them all a breath of fresh air. It was George who brought Eric Clapton to play on his song, While My Guitar Gently Weeps. George also wanted Ringo in the band and convinced John and Paul.

[@BobKovacs]

Good review, but... John Lennon actually plays the lead guitar on "Get Back," and George Harrison does the rhythm guitar. John worked out the lead when George took one of his breaks from the band, and when George came back there was not enough time for George and John to switch parts. I definitely agree with your assessment of Billy Preston's contribution, as he adds some nice jazz/funk to the mix.

[@DJBilodeau]

This is getting a lot of views!

[@jnagarya519]

Lennon is playing lead.

[@rorybisson756]

The importance of Billy Preston on this album can not be overstated. it simply doesnt happen w/o him. he was exactly what they needed when they needed it.

[@SteveInTheOC]

Billy snappin on that keyboard

[@EileenHall-j9f]

They all look so happy. What a wonderful combination. Wonderful music. Happy times.

[@delmaroeton9566]

Great reaction, great video. Thanks.

[@mikefetterman6782]

John does one of his best sits on lead guitar for this one. The solo is sooooo rock and roll.

[@PhiliminizzyReacts]

soooo rock and roll i agree

[@EddioPinaR]

The Beatles got a new height while Billy was with them. We are lucky enough to listen what they sound like with a player like Billy Preston. I personally don't get tired to listen to this. Thank you very much my friend.

[@EessaTube]

Check out Billy Preston's solo stuff. e.g. 'I Wrote a Simple Song' and 'Outa space'.

[@cuda426hemi]

Billy and Beatles go back to Hamburg days of '62 when Billy was playing for Little Richard. Then Billy was on Shindig a friggin' Shindog replaced Leon Russell same time as Beatles in height of the mania. Billy & Beatles was white-bread soul he didn't add anything except generic Rhodes style blues gospel to a desperate group that needed stabilization. To hear the BAD Billy just pop up Sam Cooke Live at that Harlem club in Miami doing Somebody Have Mercy and take cover when Sam says go ahead Billy and he rips a B3 organ solo. A travesty the label thought that record shouldn't come out when it was recorded because it was too bad ass...not what they were grooming Sam for.

[@tombradley7796]

John and George wanted Billy to be in the band, the grown-ups didn't like the idea,,,,,,,,,,

[@chsitler]

Wished I had seen Ringo Starr's All-Star Band with Billy Preston and Dr. John on keyboards in1989.

[@lindalee5866]

Soooo gooood!

[@bartonone2005]

Although The Beatles formally gave Billy Preston a nod for his work on this song, he largely went uncredited. Another piano player, a Brit named Nicky Hopkins, also lacked acknowledgement. Crohn's disease limited his public exposure, and he mainly worked as a session player. Both men were brilliant musicians. Chuck in Northern New England

[@RebelFinch]

Hi there, I hope you are well. Would you please consider reacting to 'Gimme Some Truth' by John Lennon and the versions of 'Savoy Truffle' by The Beatles and Ella Fitzgerald on your KZbin channel? Those tracks are amazing. Thank you, and all the best.

[@bearscatbarrett8795]

Billy Preston was the missing link to make The Get Back sessions work. Clear from the long form documentary-those R&B riffs were exactly what those songs needed.

[@smillstill]

The Beatles were circling the drain in 1968 with all the fighting between people, which the song "Long and Winding Road" was about. It would have been hard for Billy Preston to join a disintegrating band. They were always showmen for the camera, though.

[@rebeccastone3301]

Billy Preston became the 5th Beatle … hands down ❤

[@stevedotwood]

I think John Lennon suggested to Paul to ask Billy Preston to join them permanently, but Paul didn't like the idea for some reason. Was it money or would it complicate already growing tensions between them? Anyway Billy's soulful keys made the song IMO.

[@louisfifteen]

Why the F... didn't they kick that Yoko out while rehearsing? It annoys me so much to see her there.

[@DianeLake-sw3ym]

Always like Get Back. But, seeing the video I noticed Yoko there even on the rooftop. I did not. know she and John needed to be with each other 24/7 without any independence. Have some breathing room. But, to each his own and if it made them happy. I really like the videos by the Beatles of Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.

[@danallshaw1131]

Maybe me.......I almost got a Ray Charles vibe when Billy sent into his solo.😎

[@jacquescousteau217]

Billy did play with them on a couple of songs on Abbey Road or the White Album. I think it was Abbey Road . Billy was the ONLY person ever mention on the cover of a Beatles album, and that was Let It Be album …

[@SomOsog]

John floated the idea to add Billy to The Beatles. Paul suggested that it was hard enough to get the four of them to work together by that time. And "by that time" I mean they were about to break up to go their own ways. In the end, this collaboration with Billy Preston extended from the "Let It Be" album to The Beatles last album (Abbey Road) with the song "I Want You (She's So Heavy)."

[@義人鈴木-u4l]

この曲は、この時に既にJohhがThe Beatlesを離脱宣言して、Paulが脱隊を阻止しようと作ったものらしい。 GetBack Jo,Jo(Johh)

[@rhllnm]

Houston, Texas's own Billy Preston.

[@kentaappel]

John Lennon wanted Billy to join the band, but Paul said it would cause more problems having to deal with five people instead of four. So what broke up the Beatles, business, is what kept Billy out. Too bad!

[@mrfester42]

Eighty percent of this songs "no squares allowed" cool and funky feel has always been Ringos Galloping drum beat and Johns Rhythm guitar and lead breaks. The other elements are of course important but take out those two elements and the song would collapse completely. The absolutely cool lyrics are the icing on the cake.

[@robertnathan2843]

The 'guitar riff' is John. You may want to check out the Rooftop version 🎸

[@petejones879]

The greatest band that has ever been.. If you want to check out brilliant Billy Preston was.. Check him out on the concert for George on the song isn't it a pity

[@wdechand]

Billy Preston is my favorite Fifth Beatle. In the Get Back documentary, the subject does come up, possibly adding Billy to The Beatles lineup. They may have done so if they themselves were not on the rocks as a band.

[@binxbolling]

Top selling musicians of all time.

[@pammickle3935]

Billy went with George on his 1974 Dark Horse tour.

[@mrfester42]

Except, in this video you're not actually seeing them playing the song. What you're hearing is the studio version of this song from the Let It Be album with Johns ad hoc final comment from the rooftop concert dubbed in as it is on the album,

[@charliecochran3035]

They disnt add him, as you suggested, because they were nota band much longer after this. They left Let It Be unfinished and went off doing their own things, inly gettung rigwthe as a full band agaun in brief sourts to record Abbey Road. That was it.

[@jnagarya519]

Billy Preston was not the "fifth Beatle". He came in as a session musician because they needed a piano during a live performance. He also played on several others of their recordings.

[@friscocoonsliscano]

Real Beatles fans know there were actually 5 members..Fab 5

[@sleapycell7819]

❤❤

[@thomassommerfeld8494]

in the Anthology book the Beatles said that they were considering making Billy a full 5th member but then it all sadly fell apart a bit later. He really fit well into the line up I would say. Sadly it was never meant to be.

[@robnewton3368]

Billy Preston was a bit of a prodigy, able to come in nail his parts and add to feel and vibe of the Beatles sound. He dovetailed so effortlessly you notice immediately the rise in energy levels.