William Everett Preston was an American keyboardist, singer and songwriter 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, the Everly Brothers, Reverend James Cleveland, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. He gained attention as a solo artist with hit singles such as "That's the Way God Planned It", the Grammy-winning "Outa-Space", "Will It Go Round in Circles", "Space Race", "Nothing from Nothing", and "With You I'm Born Again". Additionally, Preston co-wrote "You Are So Beautiful", which became a #5 hit for Joe Cocker.
Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back is the eighth studio album by American funk/soul/rock band Sly and the Family Stone, released by Epic/CBS Records in 1976. This album is an effort to return the idea of the "Family Stone" band to singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone's work, after his previous album, High on You, was released without the Family Stone name. It also reflects the beginnings of change in the concept of "Sly and the Family Stone". The original Family Stone had broken up in 1975, and a new Family Stone was assembled for this album: the only holdover is stalwart Family Stone trumpetist Cynthia Robinson. Vet Stone and Elva Mouton, both formerly members of Family Stone backing band Little Sister, are credited as providing "additional background vocals", and John Colla is credited as providing "alto and soprano saxes, vocals". Colla would go on to become a founding member and integral part of "Huey Lewis and The News", both producing and penning such hits as "Heart of Rock & Roll", "Power of Love", and "If This Is It".
"You Are So Beautiful" is a song written by Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher that was first released in 1974 on Preston's ninth studio album, The Kids & Me. It was also the B-side of his single "Struttin'". Later that same year, English singer Joe Cocker released a slower version of the song on his album I Can Stand a Little Rain. Cocker's version was produced by Jim Price, and released as a single in November 1974. It became Cocker's highest-charting solo hit, peaking at number five on the United States' Billboard Hot 100, and at number four on Canada's Top Singles chart.
Tomorrow the Green Grass is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Jayhawks, released on February 14, 1995. It peaked at number 92 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Music Is My Life is the seventh studio album by Billy Preston, released in 1972. The album contains Preston's first number 1 single, "Will It Go Round in Circles", and a cover of the Beatles' song "Blackbird". It is also the first of his albums to feature his future A&M Records label-mates the Brothers Johnson. Another track, "God Loves You", was issued on a single as the B-side of "Slaughter", Preston's theme song for the 1972 film of the same name.
Everybody Likes Some Kind of Music is the eighth studio album by American musician Billy Preston. It was released in September 1973 on A&M Records.
Live European Tour is the only live album by Billy Preston, released in 1974 in Europe and Japan. It was recorded during his opening act stint for the Rolling Stones 1973 European Tour, featuring Mick Taylor on lead guitar and Preston's own band "The God Squad". In 2002, A&M Records released the album in Japan, featuring alternative song takes.
A Whole New Thing is the twelfth studio album by Billy Preston, released in 1977. It was Preston's final album with A&M Records.
Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) is the nineteenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Aretha Franklin.
"Will It Go Round in Circles" is a song by American soul musician Billy Preston from his 1972 album Music Is My Life. It was written by Preston and Bruce Fisher and released as a single in March 1973. The record topped the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies. This was the first of two number one hits for Preston as a solo performer, the other being "Nothing from Nothing", although he is also credited on the Beatles' 1969 hit "Get Back".
Night Beat is the tenth studio album by American singer Sam Cooke, released in August 1963 by RCA Victor.
L.A. Midnight is the twentieth studio electric blues album by B.B. King released in 1972. It features two extended guitar jams with fellow guitarists Jesse Ed Davis and Joe Walsh. It also features Taj Mahal on harmonica and guitar.. "Can't You Hear Me Talking To You" also features Davis on guitar.
Sweet & Sour Tears is a 1964 album by Ray Charles. It is a concept album featuring songs with titles or lyrics referring to crying. In 1997, Rhino Records reissued the album on compact disc with seven bonus tracks from his early career (1956-1971) that added to the "crying" theme.
Luxury You Can Afford is the seventh studio album by Joe Cocker, released in 1978 on Asylum Records, his only release for that label.
I Can Stand a Little Rain is the fourth studio album by Joe Cocker, released in August 1974, and considered to be the singer's finest album in that decade.
Joe Cocker's Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by Joe Cocker. It was released in 1977.
We've Got Tonight is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Kenny Rogers, released in 1983. It is also his last with Liberty Records before signing with RCA Records.
Right On is the tenth studio album release by R&B and soul singer Wilson Pickett released in 1970. Hit covers of The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and The Archies' "Sugar Sugar", as well as the Pickett original "She Said Yes" came from these sessions. The album, however, had dismal sales, staying in the bottom parts of the Billboard 200.
Heads is the fifth album by jazz musician Bob James, released in October 1977. It was his first album released on his newly formed Tappan Zee label, which was distributed at the time by Columbia Records. All of his Tappan Zee albums are now distributed by E1 Music. The album reached number one on the Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
I Heard That!! is a 1976 double album by Quincy Jones.
