Movie Review - Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It
There are a handful of people who have been given the nomenclature of "The Fifth Beatle". There is, of course, former members of The Beatles pre-Beatlemania like Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe. Then there's those in there management or production team like manager Brian Epstein or producer George Martin. But one that gets mentioned a bit as "The Fifth Beatle" is Billy Preston (1946-2006). The keyboardist was a musical legend in his own right an did numerous collaborations, but he is one of the very few musicians to get credited on a Beatles track. When "Get Back" and "Don't Let Me Down" was released as a single it was credited to The Beatles with Billy Preston. With the exception of the early Hamburg compilation credited to The Beatles with Tony Sheridan, it's hard to think of another artists credited like that. But that's the reach of Preston and his tremendous talent both as a solo artist and session player. In 2021 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame too! Now Preston is getting the big music documentary treatment with Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It, which premiered at the 2024 SXSW fest and is getting limited theatrical release this month (including Regent Theatre on Wed. night).
Preston was a child piano prodigy when he began backing gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and soon appeared on Nat King Cole's TV show. As a teen he toured with Little Richard and while on tour in Hamburg, he befriended Little Richard's opening act, The Beatles. They remembered him and brought him in for the Get Back sessions. In the years that followed, Preston did his own solo albums while also appearing on albums by a who's who of music: Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Sly and the Family Stone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash and many more. Post-Beatles, Preston was close with George Harrison and took part in his Concert for Bangladesh. Preston also appeared on solo albums by Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr as well! But I digress. The doc also gets into his struggles with the church and his closeted sexuality. Beyond the incredible archival footage, there's tons of interviewees including George's widow Olivia Harrison (also a producer on this), Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, and more.
Preston (left) with The Beatles during the Get Back sessions
Beyond his affiliation with The Beatles, I wasn't too familiar with Preston's solo music. Other than "Slaughter", which was later featured in Inglorious Basterds. I knew a little about his life and career, but was no expert. Credit to director Paris Barclay, a noted TV director, for going deep into the archival footage. For me, the big thing with this doc is that it is a gateway doc, where it makes you want to dive into Preston's music and explore his solo work more. He had a beautiful voice and such a great electric organ sound he brought to everything he played on. Worth watching!
For info on Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It
For info on the Regent Theatre (Arlington, MA) screening on Thurs.
