BILLY PRESTON: THAT’S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT
(Check out Don R. Lewis’s Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It movie review. The film is premiering on Friday, February 20th at NYC’s Film Forum. Seen it? Join the conversation with HtN on our Letterboxd Page.)
Billy Preston is the kind of musical icon that, as the kids like to say, IYKYK (that’s “If You Know, You Know, Boomer). A musical prodigy on the piano and, more importantly, Hammond B3 Organ at the age of 3, some of teen Preston’s first paying gigs were playing backup for the likes of Mahalia Jackson, Little Richard and Nat King Cole to name but a few before he really played with some greats. Preston’s life gets a long overdue documentary via Paris Barclay’s Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It which does a thorough job detailing an amazing musical journey that featured much personal sadness and Sisyphean stumbles along the way.
I’ll admit, I buried the lede a bit back there when I teased that Preston played with some legendary performers before really getting big because many know he was the true “Fifth Beatle” behind John, Paul, George and Ringo. While manager Brian Epstein and producer Sir George Martin have also been crowned the “Fifth Beatle,” myself and many would argue that it was Preston who earned that crown with his perfect, gospel influenced B3 organ playing on Get Back because of which the finished song was credited to “The Beatles with Billy Preston,” making him the only musician to receive such a Beatles co-writing credit. Don’t @ me, bro, these are facts. And speaking of, if you have seen Peter Jackson’s Beatles doc Get Back, you already know the profoundly positive effect Preston’s presence had on the Let it Be and Abbey Road recording sessions just by showing up, all gap-toothed smiles and ready to jam with his favorite band.
As if that weren’t reason to want to know more about this man, his first two solo albums were produced by Sam Cooke and Sly Stone and he went on to play in the touring bands for the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Eric Clapton and George Harrison. On and on the storied career goes but behind the brilliance was a conflicted and secretive man.
As is all too often the case with child artists, Preston suffered physical abuses as a child. This in and of itself is horrible but paired with being raised in and around the church, it also raises conflicts in terms of sexuality, power and trust. These same issues would haunt and follow Preston throughout his life as he remained a closeted gay man who eventually turned to drugs and alcohol in order to assuage the pain and conflict he dealt with every day. Barclay elegantly and empathetically weaves the sadder parts of Preston’s life into the fabric of the film like a quiet and sad overture in an otherwise joyous melody.
Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It is rich with live performances and interviews with friends, colleagues and admirers who also seem to echo their love for the seemingly carefree and joyous man who adored his craft yet who almost all seem to echo the wish that Preston felt strong enough to confide in them for support. Even lifelong asshole Eric Clapton comes across as fairly human as he recounts trying to help Preston stay clean until he is forced to show tough love. If you’ve yet to step through the musical doors to the church of Billy Preston, Billy Preston: That’s The Way God Planned It is an ideal entry point.
– Don R. Lewis (@ThatDonLewis)
