Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It

Did you know that the fifth Beatle was a brother? Billy Preston!

Shout-out to Andrew Chan at 4Columns, whose piece sent me down the Billy Preston rabbit hole.

Trailer for “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”

More from Billy Preston…

You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up

• By age 12 he was already playing with Little Richard and Ray Charles. But in 1992. After years of crack addiction, he pleaded no contest to cocaine possession and sexual assault charges following nine months in rehab.
• At the Concert for Bangladesh on August 1, 1971, in front of 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden, Billy jumped up from his Hammond B-3 mid-song and danced across the stage during “That’s the Way God Planned It.” The crowd lost its mind.

Watch “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”

This one is theater-only for now. If you want to see “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It,” check local showtimes and tickets on Fandango. And keep a lookout on JustWatch for streaming options.

Ratings:

• My Rating: 92/100
• IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
• Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: not yet rated

Director’s Note: Directed by Paris Barclay, this doc mixes rare Beatles rooftop-era footage, Preston’s solo performances, and honest interviews about fame, faith, sexuality, and addiction.

Release Date: 2024 (now playing in select theaters)

My Review of “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It”

The Setup

This is the story of a church kid from Houston who became rock royalty. Billy Preston was born in 1946. By his teens, he was touring. In 1962, he met The Beatles in Hamburg while playing organ for Little Richard. In 1969, George Harrison brought him into the tense “Let It Be” sessions. When Billy sat at the keys, the fighting stopped.

He went on to play with the Rolling Stones (that organ on “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking”), win a Grammy in 1973 for “Outa-Space,” and score a No. 1 hit in 1974 with “Nothing from Nothing.”

More Highlights from the Doc

• In 1969, Billy cut a track in London that featured George Harrison on guitar, Keith Richards on bass, Ginger Baker on drums, and Eric Clapton trading solos.
• The January 30, 1969 rooftop concert footage shows Billy grinning in the freezing London air. He looks like the only Beatle having pure fun.
• “Outa-Space” became a crossover instrumental hit driven by his Clavinet and wah-wah effects.
• The film digs into the pressure he felt as a gay Black man in the 1970s rock world.
• Touring with the Stones in the mid-’70s brought huge highs—and deeper drug use.

Cameos

• Archival footage includes George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Ringo Starr.
• Music historians break down Billy’s gospel style and why he played slightly behind the beat.

Lesser-Known Details from the Doc

• Billy was finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 with the Musical Excellence Award—15 years after his death.
• His presence during the Beatles’ final sessions acted as a peacekeeper between Paul and George.
• Even late in life, friends say he could sit at a piano and instantly light up a room.

Wrap Up:

“Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It” is joyful and heartbreaking at the same time. If you love The Beatles, the Stones, or 1970s soul, this fills in a huge missing chapter of rock history.

Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc