Billy Preston (1946 - 2006)

Houston native singer-songwriter Billy Preston has died at age 59. Preston was the only artist to receive label credit on a Beatles single, and his collaborations with the Fab Four over the years gave him the "fifth-Beatle" nickname.

Preston continued to work with George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr after the Beatles breakup. He also joined the Rolling Stones on tour in the early 70's. As a solo artist, he's best known for his #1 hit "Nothing From Nothing."

Some interesting trivia on Preston: He was the first artist to perform on Saturday Night Live in 1975. Also, he wrote Joe Cocker's classic "You Are So Beautiful" with Bruce Fisher.

Billy Preston received a kidney transplant in 2002, but the battled continued until his death this morning.