This song, one of the best fusions of rock and gospel ever written, became famous from Preston’s roof-raising performance at George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh in 1971, but the original album release in 1969 deserves some love, too, considering the all-star band that backs him on the recording. Preston met the Beatles during the band’s contentious Get Back sessions, and they were so thankful for his work (and his soothing ability to calm the squabbling foursome) that they signed him to their fledgling Apple label. Harrison himself produced the song, and after an unsatisfactory first take told Preston he was going to invite some of his friends in to help out. The friends turned out to be Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Keith Richards, who along with Harrison form Preston’s backing band. Harrison plays the main guitar part, while Clapton handles the solos, including the dueling guitar-organ solos on the second half of the song. Keith Richards played bass.
This 1980 performance from the Midnight Special TV show features some spirited organ flourishes and Preston’s preaching to that decade’s more jaded audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYgOE1w1d8g
People might not realize that Billy Preston was a child prodigy. Here he is at age 11 as a guest on Nat “King” Cole’s variety show, dueting with Cole on “Blueberry Hill.”
